FURTHER strikes are planned throughout February as unions and workers continue their fight for fair pay and working conditions.

This week, teachers who were part of the NEU went on strike on Wednesday, February 1, which led to some schools in the Chester area having, effectively, to close for the day, or close partially.

Teachers, UCU Chester staff and public sector workers held a demonstration in Chester city centre on Wednesday, February 1. Pictures: Ray McHale

Teachers, UCU Chester staff and public sector workers held a demonstration in Chester city centre on Wednesday, February 1. Pictures: Ray McHale

Members of UCU Chester joined striking teachers and other public sector workers that day for a demonstration held in front of Chester Town Hall, with a march taking place through city centre streets against the Government's proposed Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill.

The Bill would require minimum levels of service from ambulance staff, firefighters and railway workers during industrial action, and the Government has not ruled out extending that to the teaching sector.

Also striking on Wednesday were train drivers belonging to the Aslef and RMT unions, resulting in no Northern Rail services that day.

And the strikes are set to continue in the coming weeks.

On February 6-7, NHS nursing staff are to go on strike in England, in what the Royal College of Nursing says will be the most widespread protest so far against unfair pay and unsafe staffing. Paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other GMB Union staff will stage a walkout, along with ambulance workers at Unite.

The Countess of Chester Hospital Trust will be affected. Previously, the trust advised patients who had a pre-booked, non-rescheduled appointment to attend as normal, and to attend in the event of an emergency.

On February 9, NHS physiotherapy staff will be on strike, along with UCU staff at universities including the University of Chester. The university strike is expected to take place on February 9-10, 14-16, 21-23 and from February 27 to March 2.

GMB Union paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff will stage a further walk out on February 20, with ambulance workers striking on February 22.

The strikes come as the Government's 'Minimum Service Levels' Bill is progressing through Parliament, and is currently in the House of Lords.

The bill has been condemned by Amnesty International as an 'anti-strike law' which is "one more example of its drive to erode human rights in this country".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticised Labour and leader Sir Keir Starmer for voting against the bill, declaring in this week's PMQs: “What do the unions and Just Stop Oil have in common? They bankroll him and his party. So while he sides with extremist protesters and union bosses, we stand up for hard-working Britons and schoolchildren.”

Teachers, UCU Chester staff and public sector workers held a demonstration in Chester city centre on Wednesday, February 1. Pictures: Ray McHale

Teachers, UCU Chester staff and public sector workers held a demonstration in Chester city centre on Wednesday, February 1. Pictures: Ray McHale