The wave of strike action that’s been building throughout December reaches its peak in the run-up to Christmas and the days before New Year. The action threatens to bring Britain to a standstill unless a resolution can be found.
Following earlier strikes, industrial action will continue to happen across the train and bus networks and in the NHS with nurses and paramedics taking to the picket lines. Workers for Royal Mail and at select departments throughout the civil service will also walk out.
Further unrest could still be yet to come as strike ballots for firefighters and teachers close in January. Meanwhile, junior doctors are scheduled to vote next month and London Underground has approved a mandate for another six months of industrial action.
Strikes for Heathrow ground handlers are among those cancelled at the last second after unions received new pay offers. So whether you need to go somewhere, send something or contact someone, here’s the calendar of everyone that is going to be on strike for the rest of December.
Friday, December 16
Railways - only travel if necessary
Bus workers for Abellio
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) workers
National Highways staff
Rural Payments Agency
Environment Agency - staff refuse to provide ‘on call’ cover for unexpected incidents.
Saturday, December 17
Railways - only travel if necessary
DVSA workers
National Highways staff
Sunday, December 18
DVSA workers
Monday, December 19
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) staff
Highlands and Islands Airports workers in Scotland will strike
DVSA driving examiners
Rural Payments Agency
Tuesday, December 20
NHS nurses
DVSA
Rural Payments Agency
Environment Agency
DWP
Wednesday, December 21
Ambulance workers and other NHS workers
DVSA
Rural Payments Agency
DWP
Thursday, December 22
Railway cleaners
National Highways
Highlands and Islands Airports
Eurostar security workers
DVSA
Rural Payments Agency
DWP
Environment Agency
Friday, December 23
Royal Mail
Railway cleaners
Eurostar security staff
National Highways
DVSA
Border Force
DWP
Saturday, December 24
Railway workers
Royal Mail
DVSA
Environment Agency
Border Force
National Highways
Sunday, December 25
Railway workers - Strike continues even though there are no train services on Christmas Day
Environment Agency - staff will refuse to volunteer to attend incidents.
Border Force
National Highways
Monday, December 26
Railway workers - only travel if necessary as limited service will run
Environment Agency - staff will refuse to volunteer to attend incidents until 9 am.
Border Force
Tuesday, December 27
Railway workers
Wednesday, December 28
NHS ambulance workers and other NHS workers with the GMB union
DVSA examiners in the West Midlands, the Eastern region and the East Midlands
Border Force
Thursday, December 29
DVSA examiners in other regions
Border Force
Friday, December 30
National Highways
DVSA examiners in other regions
Border Force
Saturday, December 31
Railway cleaners
National Highways
Environment Agency - staff will refuse to volunteer to attend incidents
Border Force
Who is striking in January?
More railway strikes are expected into January, with many civil servants for the DVSA and Rural Payments Agency to strike in different regions.
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