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Britain is bracing for a fresh wave of strikes as hundreds of thousands of workers prepare for walkouts in bitter disputes over pay and conditions.
The widespread industrial action in December shows no sign of abating, with nurses, civil servants, rail staff and ambulance workers are among those set to down tools.
Rishi Sunak is resisting pay demands from unions for staff facing real terms wage cuts due to inflation, which the Treasury says it can’t afford.
The Prime Minister has instead threatened “tough new laws” to limit strikes, which could include extending minimum staffing level requirements to the NHS and schools.
But his tough talk will be put to the test amid the continued unrest, which could roll on for months.
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Here are the disputes set to rage this year.
Nurses
Nurses will hold a 48-hour walkout in England from January 18 after Health Secretary Steve Barclay refused to reopen pay talks.
It comes after two days of strike action in December in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which saw tens of thousands of staff down tools.
The latest round of strikes will take place at more NHS employers than last month – rising by 25% from 44 to 55 trusts.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) balloted members last year for walkouts over the Government’s 4% pay rise for the first time in its 106-year history. The RCN’s mandate to strike will run until early May.
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The union has asked for pay hikes of 5% above inflation, which Mr Sunak branded “unaffordable”.
RCN boss Pat Cullen has signalled the union could be open to compromise but insisted the Government must sit down to discuss pay.
In Scotland, RCN members voted to reject a revised NHS pay offer and dates for industrial action are expected to be announced shortly.
Separately, members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales have voted for industrial action.
Paramedics
Ambulance staff in five regions of England will hold walkouts on January 11 and 23 in a row over pay and staffing.
Unison members in London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West will walk out for 24 hours on both days.
The GMB union suspended a planned strike on December 28 but a further walkout is planned for January 11 – coinciding with the Unison action.
It comes after workers from Unite, Unison and GMB downed tools on December 21 – only responding to the most urgent calls.
Ambulance unions have not issued a firm pay demand, but are asking for above inflation wage increases.
The Government enraged ambulance unions when Mr Barclay accused striking workers of making “a conscious choice to inflict harm on patients”.
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Junior doctors
Junior doctors could also strike over pay, with more than 45,000 set to be balloted in England from January 9.
The BMA say the offer of a 2% pay rise for junior doctors in fact amounts to a 10% pay cut and warn it has eroded morale.
In a recent survey of members, the BMA said four in ten junior doctors (40%) are actively planning to leave the NHS as soon as they can find another job.
Rail workers
The RMT is taking further strike action on January 3, 4, 6 and 7 at Network Rail and 14 other rail operators – with passengers told to expect major disruption.
There has also been an overtime ban across the railways from December 18 until January 2.
Train drivers from the Aslef union will walk out on January 5 at 15 rail companies.
Rail unions are asking for pay rises reflecting the soaring cost of living and a commitment there won’t be job losses.
Teachers
Hundreds of thousands of teachers in England are voting on whether to take strike action, with ballots to close by January 13.
The NAHT, which represents heads, is balloting its members in England for strike action over pay for the first time in its 125-year history, alongside the NEU and NASUWT unions.
The Association of School and College Leaders held a consultative ballot in December and is deciding on its next move.
Teachers are furious at the Government’s pay offer, under which experienced staff would get 5% pay hikes and newer staff see their wages rise by 8.9%.
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With inflation at around 10%, unions say the offer it amounts to a real terms cut to wages.
Ministers are planning for major disruption in the classroom if strikes go ahead, although the NAHT has said it is unlikely that its members will close schools.
Teachers in Scotland will hold further strikes on January 10 and 11. This follows a national strike in November and separate action last month which saw schools partially closed.
Royal Mail staff
Posties have been embroiled in a dispute with Royal Mail bosses for months over pay and conditions.
Walkouts took place in the busy run up to Christmas, with images showing post piling up at mail centres.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has rejected an offer of 9% pay hikes in exchange for changes to working hours and conditions.
Firefighters
Thousands of firefighters are on the brink of walkouts after rejecting a 5% pay rise..
The Fire Brigades Union will run a ballot on strike action from December 5 to January 23, with almost 33,500 firefighters and control staff being asked to vote.
The FBU argues that the pay offer amounts to a real terms cut and said it was “disgusting” after firefighters’ service during the pandemic.
General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “Strike action will always be a last resort. But we are running out of options.
“Many firefighters and control staff are desperate. Some are struggling to afford to live. It is a dreadful and very serious state of affairs.”
Civil servants
Around 100,000 civil servants across more than 100 Government departments have voted to take industrial action over pay, pensions and conditions.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union balloted more than 150,000 government employees at 214 departments – with the Home Office, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Environment Agency are those affected.
PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka has warned that industrial action will escalate unless the Government gets round the table over pay.
“We want to talk but talk must involve money,” he told Times Radio.
“The government is absolutely refusing to do that at the moment. And that’s why unfortunately, I think we will see the strikes escalate pretty quickly in January.”
Border Force
Passport-checking Border Force staff, who are employed by the Home Office, took part in walkouts over Christmas at Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester airports.
Staff who are members of the PCS union, representing civil servants, which is pushing for pay hikes and better conditions.
Driving examiners
Rolling strikes are being held by driving examiners until January 16, which may affect practical tests.
The PCS union is calling for a 10% pay rise for staff, as well as commitments on pensions, job security and redundancy terms.
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University staff
More than 70,000 staff members at over 150 universities went on strike on November 24, 25 and 30 in a row over pay, working conditions and pensions.
The University College Union (UCU) is calling for above inflation pay rises, help with excessive workloads and pension benefits to be restored.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said the 3% pay offer was “insulting” and said some members were being forced to use foodbanks.
The union has agreed to intense negotiations over the coming weeks to resolve the dispute.
