As we reach the festive season, more rail strikes have been
announced in the lead up to and over the Christmas period,
potentially causing disruption for many. This is reflected in the
latest survey from Ipsos, with two-thirds (66%) paying attention
to news stories about possible future strikes later in the year
by other public sector workers such as teacher or NHS staff and
more than half closely following stories about the upcoming rail
strikes (54%).
Public support for the strikes is divided, with 3 in 10 (30%) in
support, 36% opposed, and 27% neutral. However, there is less
support for the December strikes than we found for the October
action earlier this year. In September, 43% said they
supported those upcoming strikes, while 31% were opposed.
Opinion sees little change when the public are given more
information about why the strikes are happening. When people are
told the planned strikes mean that many services are unlikely to
run, but that railway unions are protesting against job cuts, pay
freezes and changes to railway workers’ employment terms and
conditions, support only increases by 3ppt (33%) while opposition
sees no change.
Looking at where sympathy lies, almost 9 in 10 side with railway
passenger (85%) while most also have sympathy with railway
workers (61%). However, railway unions (46%), train
companies (33%) and Network Rail (32%) have all seen a drop in
the proportion who say they feel either a great deal or fair
amount of sympathy for them since September. The UK Government
fares worst, only a quarter (26%, also down 6 points) feel
sympathy for it while two-thirds (65%) do not.
Of course, it is not only the railway workers who are striking,
we see some professions who might be considering (or already
carried out) strikes receive more support than others. NHS
workers such as nurses are most likely to be supported by the
public (52%), however support has fallen by 8ppt since September,
as it has for a number of other sectors. Firefighters (46%
support), teachers (42%), postal workers (40%) and refuse
collectors/street cleaners (39%) are among the professions
planning to strike that receive more support than opposition.
Those most likely to see opposition to strikes are barristers
working on criminal cases (38% oppose, 25% support) and civil
servants (37% oppose, 27% support).
The role of trade unions
Just over a third believe trade unions have too much power in
Britain today (35%), seeing little change since September (34%),
while 3 in 10 (29%) say they have the right amount and 1 in 5 too
little (19%). The same proportion, 34%, say employers have too
much power while only 8% say the same for workers. Almost half
say workers have too little power, down from 58% in September and
61% in June.
The need to have trade unions is widely recognised, with 4 in 5
believing it is very or fairly important to have trade unions to
protect workers’ interests (79%), falling marginally from 83% in
September and 85% in June. Only 13% say it is not important to
have these protective measures in place.
Gideon Skinner, Head of Political Research at Ipsos,
said:
“Public opinion is divided over the upcoming rail strikes,
but it does seem that the prospect of another set of action over
the Christmas period is dampening down levels of public support
from earlier in the year. Public concern remains highest for rail
passengers who have to suffer the disruption – but most also have
sympathy for rail workers too given the tough economic conditions
and concern over the cost of living, and this applies to some
other public sector workers, particularly in the NHS. The
potential for a wave of industrial action is hardly greeted with
enthusiasm by Britons, and sympathy for the rail unions has
dipped, but it is the UK Government that receives least sympathy
of all.”
