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More disruption is expected across public services in the coming weeks as further industrial action takes place. Several days of strike action saw major services grind to a halt in December with nurses, ambulance crews, Royal Mail and train staff among those who walked out in disputes over pay and conditions.
In Wales this included nurses staging two days of strike action on December 15 and 20 – the first time they’ve done so in history – which saw thousands of routine appointments and surgeries cancelled. Train services were also impacted in the weeks leading up to Christmas with members of the RMT staging several walkouts and other train companies also hit by strikes.
There were also strikes by border staff which saw travellers impacted in some UK airports, while a nationwide strike by Royal Mail staff caused chaos for Christmas post. Most of the disputes relate to pay and conditions with the UK currently in the grip of a cost of living crisis.
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The fact most of these disputes have yet to be resolved means there are already a number of confirmed strikes taking place in the first month of 2023 including Royal mail, DVLA staff and public transport. Here are all the planned strike dates in January.
Public transport
RMT union members working for National Rail will restart strike action on January 3-4 and January 6-7. The majority of rail services across the Wales and Borders network will be suspended on these four days as Transport for Wales will be unable to operate rail services on Network Rail infrastructure, even though it is not involved in the dispute. There will be a reduced service between Cardiff to Pontypridd/Treherbert/Rhymney and between Cardiff and Newport. The stoppages are likely to lead to a knock on effect on the days following the strikes, meaning services could be impacted for longer. You can find out more about rail services in Wales on strike days here. Train drivers in the Aslef union are also striking on January 5, meaning services in Wales will likely be busier that day.
DVLA staff and driving examiners
Workers within the DVLA’s medical section plan to go on strike in January over five days. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) has asked those employed within the Drivers Medical sector at its Morriston site in Swansea to strike on January 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
It comes after “one of the highest votes in favour of strike action” at the DVLA, with nearly 94% of members voting in favour of the move. The DVLA itself has hit out at the move, accusing the union of “negatively impacting some of the most vulnerable people in society.” DVLA services in Wales will therefore be reduced on that day. You can find out more here.
PCS driving examiners at the DVSA are also striking on different days across the UK. In Wales workers strike from January 4-10 and will impact driving tests and standards checks. You can find out more here.
Environment Agency
Unison union members from the Environment Agency have been on strike and have refused to volunteer to attend incidents in addition to other measures. The most recent strike lasts until 9am on Monday, January 2 after several days of action in December.
Other services
PCS members working in the Rural Payments Agency Customer Service Centre went on strike in Workington, Newcastle and Caernarfon from December 13. These members answer calls from members of the rural communities and general public for the RPA on farm subsidies, payments for other rural businesses and other subjects like the pet travel scheme. After a series of strike dates staff will walk out again from January 9-13 in a dispute over pay, pensions, job security and redundancy terms. You can find out more here.
Other possible strikes
In England, nurses from the RCN are striking on January 18 and 19 but this is not happening in Wales. However, with the Welsh Government yet to address RCN Wales’ pay dispute, it is possible, perhaps even likely, that more strikes will also happen in Wales in the coming months.
UK Border Force staff including passport checkers went on strike in December but it ended on December 31. Cardiff Airport was among those impacted, but reports suggested the strikes did not cause large disruptions across any airports. However, with the dispute not settled ministers have warned more strikes could happen and could even extend to sea ports.
Royal Mail staff went on strike over the festive season, throwing Christmas post into chaos. No more strike dates have been announced, but more of these could happen as the dispute has not been resolved.
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