Why Standing Out is Effective by Sophie Hall-Vann, BHASVIC

The very first strike dates back to 1170 BC. (the olden days) when skilled craftsmen demanded more rations in exchange for their arduous hours in the hot Egyptian sun. The idea of ​​holding workers back to spread a message continued on an upward trajectory as more workers argued that poor working conditions and below-average pay were having a negative impact on their health. Some of the most significant strikes took place during the Industrial Revolution and have gone down in history as fundamental to the development of worker protection legislation. If we look back at the history books, we can all agree that these strikes made sense; So why has this recent action divided everyone so much?

Well, hindsight is a wonderful thing, for I’m sure 19th-century townsfolk were horrified to hear their local silk mill was closed for the day, but it was inevitable and modern society has the benefits easily harvested. We can credit these strikes with the creation of minimum wages, the work week and contracts: all very abstract and unpopular concepts at the time. Strikes are uncomfortable, but it shows exactly how public sector workers feel as underpaid and undervalued members of society. Abrasives raise awareness because they teach us how much we rely on them in our everyday lives, and surely that’s something? Perhaps it takes dramatic action like this to make us appreciate all that the world’s postal workers, bus drivers, and teachers do for us.

No one says you need to rally with Royal Mail or protest with the paramedics, but at least understand why people are resorting to it. Currently 11% of the UK population (source: Food Standards Agency) rely on food banks. If this were a single parent struggling to support their child, most people would call it a tragedy, but given that there are millions… is it such a normality? Strikes have always been a hot topic: but hopefully one day employers will finally recognize the value of their workers; pay them a fair, living wage and promote a healthy work-life balance.