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With inflation, the rising cost of living and bills going through the roof, this year has been one gripped by strike action. Workers across a range of industries have walked out, taking part in industrial action to demand better working conditions from bosses.
We have seen Birmingham New Street turn into a ghost town and Mick Lynch become a national figurehead for workers. There were also Royal Mail strikes which meant letters and parcels took longer to arrive.
But more industrial action is set to plague the rest of 2022, including rail workers, posties and even NHS nurses. Below is everything you need to know.
READ MORE: Yellow weather warning in place as commuters warned of travel delays
National Rail
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union and Aslef announced a string of fresh rail strikes over December and January. The RMT has confirmed train strikes are hitting next month and in early 2022.
Over 40,000 members across Network and 14 train operating companies will walk out on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December and on 3, 4, 6 and 7 January. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “After a fortnight of talks, the TOCs [train operating companies] had committed to making a firm offer in writing for the first time today.
“They cancelled the meeting at an hour’s notice and we can sense the hand of the Tory government in this as we believe that they are not allowing an offer to be made. This is on top of Network Rail failing to make a new proposal at the end of last week.”
Royal Mail
It’s not just travel – you might struggle to send or receive post this Christmas. Royal Mail workers will go on strike on Christmas Eve as a long-running dispute about pay, jobs and conditions rumbles on.
The action is part of a fresh wave of six walkouts planned next month. Members of the Communication Workers Union will be hitting the picket lines on December 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24.
A Communication Workers Union spokesman said: “The CWU want a negotiated settlement with Royal Mail Group and will continue to engage the company to that end. But those in charge of Royal Mail need to wake up and realise we won’t allow them to destroy the livelihoods of postal workers.”
Royal Mail said it had “well-developed contingency plans” but could not “fully replace the daily efforts of our frontline workforce”.
West Midlands Metro
West Midlands Metro, however, will not be going on strike. Industrial action was called off after workers bagged a huge inflation-busting pay rise.
Workers were offered a huge rise of up to 20 per cent. The news was dubbed a “hard won victory” by union Unite.
General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a well-deserved win for workers who were prepared to take a stand against low pay and who through standing together secured a vastly improved pay deal.
“Unite is now entirely committed to fighting for the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and this victory for the West Midlands Metro workers demonstrates that this strategy is delivering for union members.”
NHS
Last week, we reported an upcoming nursing strike announced in the run-up to Christmas could cause disruption at Birmingham hospitals. Nurses will walk out on December 15 and 20 in a dispute with the Government over pay after being balloted by the Royal College of Nursing union (RCN).
NHS England said it was working to “ensure there is minimal disruption to patient care”. A spokesperson said pay was to be decided by ministers.
An NHS spokesperson said: “While pay is a matter for Government and the trade unions, we value our staff and want to see a resolution as soon as possible to ensure we can continue to focus on supporting our NHS organisations to deliver patient care to all those who need it.”
Have your say on Christmas strikes here.
Do you have a story? Get in touch by emailing josh.sandiford@reachplc.com
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