Four Reasons why we should support strikers
Throughout this year, there has been a wave of strikes across the globe. Strikes became common during the Industrial Revolution in the UK when mass labor became essential in factories and mines. Employees back then were hoping to get better working conditions and equal pay. This is why it is so important to support the current strikes happening because workers are still tired of the injustices they are facing at work. So, here are four reasons why we should be supporting strikers.
The working conditions people are facing have worsened:
The National Resident Doctors Association went on strike because the resident doctors had complained that the working conditions in the Nigerian health sector had deteriorated to such a degree that their members were migrating to foreign countries.
Outcome: The strike was suspended after 17 days of striking. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has met with the leaders of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over their ongoing industrial action. The Senate President assured the doctors that as soon as a minister of health is appointed, the lawmakers will work towards addressing their grievances.
2. Workers could be replaced by Artificial intelligence: WGA Strike
On March 14, the Writers Guild Award released a report titled ‘Writers Are Not Keeping Up’. It details how compensation for writing has been negatively impacted by the advent (and takeover) of streaming and Artificial intelligence. so far Actors such as Margot Robbie and Lin- Manuel-Miranda, were all recently spotted at several WGA strikes in support of writers. The strikes have pushed back the release and production of films and award shows such as the Emmy’s which was set to take place at the end of September but was pushed back to mid-January of next year.
The Outcome: on 24th September 2023, After 145 days, the WGA strikes have ended with a suitable agreement for writers. In the early days of October, The writers Guild member will vote whether they want to accept the deal or not. A spokesperson for the Writers guild stated that the agreement gives writers everything they demanded. For instance, the agreement promises increases in compensation for streaming content and guarantees that artificial intelligence technology will not encroach on Writers’ credits and compensation.
3. Workers are not getting a pay rise- UK
At Gatwick, Unite members working for ground-handling company Red Handling walked out for four days from Friday, August 18. They went on strike for a further four days from Friday, August 25, which impacted the August bank holiday weekend. The workers wanted a 16 % pay rise for Gatwick security staff.
Outcome: According to Unite, neither of the relevant businesses made offers that satisfied workers’ expectations.
4. Workers are likely to lose their jobs
Japan's first strike in decades over department store sale
900 workers at the flagship Seibu store in the bustling district of Ikebukuro are protesting the sale of Sogo & Seibu, a unit of Japanese retail giant Seven & i (3382), to the U.S. fund Fortress Investment Group. The workers do not want the unit to be sold to the U.S investment group because it means they could lose their jobs.
Outcome: As the strike is relatively new, there has not been any resolutions just yet
Although strikes are nothing new, there seems to be more occurring after lockdown as people are becoming mentally drained and exhausted at work. It’s so unfortunate that workers are not seeing any benefits for the work they’re doing. That is why it is so important to support these strikes because workers are the foundation of the society, we live in. Without their services, there would be so much disruption in our society. So, let’s come together and support the strikers!
