UK government ministers met trade union leaders on Monday in a bid to end a wave of strikes that has hobbled the rail network and strained the overburdened health system.
There were some signs of progress but no breakthrough after a meeting between Health Secretary Steve Barclay and health care unions. Other ministers are meeting with railway unions that have staged months of strikes, and teaching unions considering classroom walkouts.
“There was definitely a change of tone today," said Sarah Gorton of UNISON, which represents some health workers.
However Onay Kasab, negotiator for the Unite union, said the talks had been a “missed opportunity” and that strikes planned for this month would go ahead.
Britain is going through its biggest strike wave for decades, with airport baggage handlers, border staff, driving instructors, bus drivers and postal workers among those who have walked off their jobs to demand higher pay.