Are we entering a period of discontent in the UK employment market?

Yesterday's news that British Airways cabin crew will strike later this year over pay and conditions is concerning and today we also learned that the rail union The Transport Salaried Staffs Association is balloting members regarding a 0.8% pay offer from Network Rail. So is the UK entering a period of discontent in the employment market?

There is no doubt there is greater affection between management and unions at the moment than in the recent past and we are set to see more strikes in the short to medium term. In many ways this is a consequence of the recession and credit crunch which has forced more and more companies to rein in their investment and their spending with employees having to bear part of the pain. In reality the unions are protecting their members and the management are protecting their companies and unfortunately there is little common ground at the moment.

Hopefully as the UK economy begins to build and grow we will see some leeway from both sides and possibly more agreements announced in the medium to longer term. However, there is certain to be more pain in the short term and yesterday's announcement of a pay freeze for senior civil servants and many others in the public sector will add to further union concerns.