Striking workers

Available for over a year

The global economy is shrinking but our costs are rising, and as people around the world find things harder, many are deciding to go on strike for better pay and conditions. Around the world, we are seeing the likes of teachers, nurses, postal and transport workers taking industrial action. We bring together some of those workers to hear about their jobs and why they are taking to the picket lines. Community nurse in London, Kafeelat Adekunle, and Dr Sami Sedghi, a doctor in Milan, share their experiences. “Patients waiting for too long; patients not getting the right care; nurses not getting the right cash, this shouldn’t be happening in a civilised and developed country,” Kafeelat tells us. “We never wanted to do this but we’ve been pushed to the wall.” We introduce Dr Benedicta Yayra Fosu-Mensah, a lecturer at the University of Ghana in Accra, to Regina Fuentes, a teacher in Ohio. They tell us how they often feel undervalued and how being a teacher does not add up when it comes to wages. We also hear from two railway workers in the United States, Johnny and Deven. Their job allows them to witness wonderful scenery but they say it comes with several negatives and they would not want their children working on the railroad. (Photo: Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on the picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital in London as nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland take industrial action over pay. Picture date: Thursday December 15, 2022. Credit: Lucy North/PA Wire)