To think ppl should be picketing energy prices not striking in their jobs.

[Goldandpurplezebra]

Just that really.

I think all these strikes are misplaced. Where is the uproar and picketing about the energy prices?! Is it happening and it's just not making the news?

I think the major increase in all these strikes is really because of the energy prices soaring. So people have less money in their pockets.

The amount of financial help is colossal though, Another £900 is being paid.

It’s taxpayers contributing though so whatever goes out comes from somewhere.

I completely agree!

Have you listened to the union spokespeople, or indeed, any of the strikers? Christ on a bike, you are reducing a complex issue to a single point. Staff are striking due to pay, conditions, future employment, pensions, safety and a myriad of other things.
But hey, when people get their opinions from the daily fail and breakfast television, they should be heard, so good luck organising the pickets

So the people striking are not just striking for money, you do realise that? You want them to picket energy companies to help everyone?

This is so true!

People should be up in arms about the energy companies

I don't see what that's got to do with the strikes though ? People can support / do both ?

You're missing the point of why people are striking.

Public sector have not been given a real terms pay rise since the tories came into power. Energy prices have not been the issue for 13 years.

Public sector have been experiencing problems with staffing and increasing individual workloads due to government cuts since the mid 00's.

Public sector workers still had to work throughout covid and didn't get furlough. And while I'm sure there will be plenty on MN who will pipe up about the millions allegedly WFH, the majority did not. They were still working 12 hour shifts outside the home whilst trying to juggle home schooling, no childcare etc.

The care sector has suffered greatly due to staff leaving after Brexit. When the care sector collapses, the NHS has to make up the shortfall. So an already decapitated NHS is now having increasing demands placed on it.

But yeh, nurses just wanna roll around in all their money, don't they?

And people are up in arms about energy prices. Were you not on here in October when everyone was talking about cancelling their direct debits and refusing to pay? And people on MN told them not to be ridiculous.

People are angry. You just didn't care before because it didn't inconvenience you.

Did you protest house prices? Or did “supply and demand” suit your personal portfolio?

People only GAF when it affects their own pocket negatively.

I'm a teacher who is striking and for me pay is a factor but it's not really about energy prices alone. Like most people my biggest outgoing is my housing costs. Currently I rent and my rent was going up much faster than my pay (even with mainscale pay rises this year).

Obviously other price rises are a factor, such as petrol, meaning moving and having a long commute is also a less viable choice. So instead I moved to a cheaper area and moved schools.

I feel guilty because I know my former school had trouble replacing me, but I couldn't really afford to stay there. Hence striking, because I think school recruitment shouldn't be dependent on local house prices.

So by your logic we should be "picketing" landlords, which I'm all for actually but I'm not sure would be legal.

But for most teachers the strike is also/mainly about workload and working conditions.

There's legal protection for striking workers.

There's no legal protection for people who don't pay their energy bills. The energy company will get a warrant, break in to your house, fit a prepayment meter, charge you more per kWh than they were before, and cut you off at will.

YABVU.

It's the cost of everything, not just energy prices. My January bill was just over £100 but my weekly shop is now £50 (double my energy bill) council tax is going up (more than a winter energy bill and every single month). Energy is just one part of it.

I think targeted payments like the £900 due this year towards energy costs is fairer. The energy price guarantee gives the most to those who use the most, and benefits those who already have very low usage, because they can't afford it, the least. Support should be targeted at those on low incomes and those with high energy needs due to age or disability.

I think the major increase in all these strikes is really because of the energy prices soaring. So people have less money in their pockets.

I don't think that's the main reason for striking, as others have pointed out.

What's wrong with supporting the strikes AND protesting the energy price rises?

YANBU but the best way is to vote these idiots out of government.

The government should be doing more to control costs. Housing has been geared towards benefitting the bank's and HMRC.

Energy benefits big oil and I can imagine they lobby the government too (Nadhim Z for one).

The list goes on and we shouldn't be putting up with it.

Personally, I think the whole reporting and media has got everything messed up and have a lot to answer for. They shouldn't be focusing on the people striking as this only plays against public opinion. They should be focusing 100% on the government for creating an untenable situation for public sector workers. Shit working environments and shit pay. These are fundamental for any worker but they've failed completely.

The op does not seem to understand why workers are striking.

And also does not seem on the cusp of leading us all into an effective populist uprising against the energy companies.

Have a

People voted for this.
Do some research.
Most if the cabinet OWN shares in These energy companies do it is beneficial to them when profits go up. They also have major investments in things like HS2. Again it benefits them for the project to go ahead. It does not matter if the job get finished or how much damage it does they still get a financial benefit.
The government are not giving you anything. The tax payer is paying for this and I do t agree with it.
I support all strikes.
Our railways were sold off by the conservatives so they could profit. When you buy a rail ticket you are paying shareholders, this is why fares are increasing.

@SamanthaCaine has nailed it. Don’t vote for these vile fuckers next time - they are the cause of this entire shit show from Brexit onwards. Although mainly Brexit. And greed. And their narrative about “hardworking people” which now means that we have a large number of people in this country who think that anyone who is on benefits is a lazy shyster who deserves poverty and all that comes with it.

They are repulsive and the damage they have done to this country is incalculable 🤬.

If you have some effective measures in mind, OP, I'm ready to hear them. Bear in mind that, as at least one pp has already pointed out, the retail arms of energy companies aren't allowed to profit above a very restricted margin.

Interesting that anyone thinks the UK protesting about energy prices would have an effect. The root causes are the war in Ukraine the re awakening of the Chinese economy and the growth in emerging countries. All of these make the world market a volatile place. The producers who are the ones making vast amounts of money will sell at the market rate and are just as surprised as we are, even Shell said it had more cash than it knew what to do with. But it’s easy for the left and bots to rage against the government who are dealing with a set of world events unprecedented in history and don’t have a magic money tree. Don’t imagine it will get better after the next election because the root issues will still be there.

@Paulrn this government have created many of our issues so please don’t be fooled by their bullshit excuse that every country is suffering the same - Brexit has destroyed our economy and continues to do so. Even sanctions hit Russia is doing better than us economically.

Youre right the next government will struggle because we’ll remain out of the EU which is one of our biggest issues.

It truly terrifies me that there are people looking at the total fucking shitshow in government and saying “aw, bless them, they’re doing their best!” 🤬

Don't you mean a protest, people don't just picket random companies

That’s ok it worries me that people still winge on about Brexit and think all our woes are the tories fault. Not saying they are perfect by a long way but the alternative scares me more, but I think the left may not get the easy ride in they think once the more silent majority vote.

People still whinge on about Brexit???? Jesus fucking Christ - they walk among us. It’s only been 3 years and it’s a MASSIVE reason why we’re in this mess.

Do u suffocate in that sand you have your head stuck in? 🙄

The trouble is this isn’t going to change with Labour coming in as they don’t want to lose the Brexit voter.

I completely agree!! If my bill was £150 cheaper a month (which is what it's gone up by) then that would make my life a whole lot easier!