Tis the season for… strike action. Here’s a roundup of disruptions until the new year so you won’t be caught out

The info in this article may well change, but we’ll try to keep an eye on it. But for now, here are strike dates and walkouts in the UK coming up around Christmas.

Royal Mail 

Royal Mail have announced strike actions over an increase in pay by 9 per cent. 

During National Strike days, Royal Mail has shared that they will not be delivering letters. They will prioritise 24 hour tracked, and special delivery parcels and letters. Covid tests and medical prescriptions will also be prioritised where possible. 

Post Offices will be opening and operating as usual, but customers should expect delays to anything posted on or after strike action days. 

Dates: 

• 14-15 December 
• 23-24 December

Railway workers

Strike action is being carried out by the RMT union. It’s likely that services running on these days will be limited. There is also disruption predicted around the days leading up to, and post strike action.

Dates:

• 13-14 December
• 16-17 December
• From 6pm, 24 – until 6am, 27 December
• 3-4 January 2023
• 6-7 January 2023

Nurses

The Royal College of Nursing have announced industrial action over fairer wages. They’re calling for a 17.6 per cent pay rise.  

Dates: 

• 15 December
• 20 December

Ambulance service

Unions GMB, Unison, and Unite have announced industrial action for ambulance workers over pay, after Government refused demands of a pay increase. 

The strikes will see more than 10,000 ambulance workers across England and Wales taking action.

The trusts affected are South West Ambulance Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service, North West Ambulance Service, South Central Ambulance Service, North East Ambulance Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Welsh Ambulance Service, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service. 

Dates: 

• 21 December
• 28 December (GMB Union only)

UK Border Force

UK Border staff from the PCS union are expected to strike on the below dates over pensions, fair pay, and job security. Meaning that passengers may find flights cancelled over these dates.

Airports expected to be effected are London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Cardiff. 

Military personnel, along with civil servants are undergoing training to make up for the missing staff come action days. However, the Director-General of Border Force is still warning that “our contingency workforce will not be able to operate with the same efficiency as our permanent workforce.” 

Dates: 

• 23-26 December
• 28-31 December 

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Lana Hall

Lana can usually be found spinning her collection of records, or writing odd poems in her phone notes. Her mixer of choice is a ginger beer, and you’ll never find her away from the sea for more than a few weeks.