When are the strikes in the run up to Christmas

After previously walking out on 1, 9, 11, 14 and 15 December, members of the Communication Workers Union are set to strike again on 23 December and 24 December, which could impact last-minute delivery in the run up to Christmas.

Royal Mail has warned that “services will be affected” by the strike, and has said it will not be able to deliver first and second-class letters (which will also not be collected from post boxes). It has, however, said it will endeavour to deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked 24 items as possible, and will prioritise delivering Covid-19 tests and medical prescriptions. The majority of Post Offices will remain open.

The company said that it had offered the CWU “an enhanced pay deal of 9% over 18 months and a number of other concessions to terms and agreements”, but the union said that its most recent terms had been “thrown back in our face” and suggested that action could continue into the new year.

The union also objects to “widespread changes” to working conditions, including “introducing Uber-style owner-drivers, mail centre closures and changes to Sunday working”.