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THE UK is facing a wave of strikes in December 2022, with at least one walkout a day ahead of Christmas.
Militant union bosses have braced the country for a “prolonged programme of industrial action” that is set to cause disruptions across a number of different sectors.
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Who is striking in December 2022?
Thousands of people from various industries are set to walkout this winter.
The sectors that have confirmed strike dates include, Transport, Postal services, and the NHS.
Other industries are also in the process of balloting to strike soon.
Those planning strike action include the Fire Brigades Union and the PCS, who represent civil servants including Border Force officers, Passport Office staff and National Highways employees.
Which days are the strikes planned for?
In December, strikes are planned to take place almost every day of the month in the lead up to Christmas.
Here’s a look at the days that strike action is set to take place and which sectors are walking out.
Friday, December 9
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are set to take their first day of strike action.
They have notified Royal Mail that they will be calling on their members who collect, sort and deliver parcels and letters to take strike action over a period of four days.
Sunday, December 11
Postal services are set to be disrupted once more as members of the CWU are due to walkout for a second day of strike action.
RMT members are also set to walk out, however, action will affect Avanti West Coast only, according to National Rail.
Monday, December 12
More RMT action is set to take place – once again affecting just the Avanti West Coast line only.
A strike by Unison members in Northern Ireland will also take place across ambulance and other NHS services.
Tuesday, December 13
Thousands of members of the RMT union working for Network Rail and 14 train operating companies are set to stage strikes.
Those walking out will include signalling staff, whose absence is likely to cause great disruption along main lines, while smaller lines will have no trains.
Workers from the TSSA union, will also take strike action over their ongoing national rail dispute.
Industrial action on this day will affect Avanti West Coast lines.
Wednesday, December 14
Multiple strikes are set to take place on Wednesday, December 14.
The disruption will affect postal services once more as the CWU union call on their members to walkout for the third time this month.
More strike action is also set to take place across the transport sector as members of the RMT union walkout once more.
Thursday, December 15
Thursday, December 15 is the final day that the CWU union have notified Royal Mail of national strike action.
Also set to strike on this day are up to 10,000 members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union working for NHS employers in England.
They are set to walkout at 53 NHS organisations in England where the legal mandate for strike action was secured earlier this month.
Friday, December 16
Security staff working for Eurostar, who are members of the RMT, will begin the first of four days of walk-outs in the run-up to Christmas.
However, disruption to lines is not likely to be caused.
Action is also expected by RMT members working for Network Rail and 14 train operating companies.
Saturday, December 17
Members of the TSSA working for c2c, which serves more than two dozen stations between east London and South Essex are set to walkout.
Strike action is also set to be taken by RMT members working for Network Rail and 14 train operating companies.
TSSA members on Avanti West Coast lines will also be taking action.
Sunday, December 18
On this day, RMT will start an overtime ban across the railways.
This is set to run until January 2, meaning RMT will be taking industrial action for four weeks.
Tuesday, December 20
Nurses from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are due to strike once more.
Strike action involving ambulances and other health staff is also possible amid talks by unions.
Thursday, December 22
Those who are employed as cleaners and are members of the RMT union will begin their first strike at firms including Avanti.
Services are unlikely to be disrupted.
Eurostar security staff are also set to walkout.
Friday, December 23
More transport strikes are also expected on Friday, December 23, with members of the Unite union taking action – this will affect East Midlands Railway only.
Eurostar security staff and cleaners for a number of rail companies are also taking action.
Saturday, December 24
Unite members are planning to walkout once more – again, this will only cause disruption to the East Midlands line.
Saturday, December 31
At the end of the month, RMT members who are employed as cleaners for a number of different transport companies are set to take industrial action.
Why are there strikes?
NHS
Members of the Royal College of Nursing are set to strike for the first time ever following the government’s failure to commit to formal pay negotiations after a five-day deadline ended in November.
Thousands of nurses are calling for a rise of 5% above inflation and better working conditions.
RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive Pat Cullen said: “Ministers have declined my offer of formal pay negotiations and instead chosen strike action. We’ve been left with no choice but to announce where our members will be going on strike in December.
“We’re defending our profession and our patients. We’ve had enough of being taken for granted and being unable to provide the care patients deserve.
“Ministers still have the power and means to stop this by opening negotiations that address our serious concerns about patient safety and fair pay.”
Royal Mail
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are calling for a pay rise that matches the soaring cost of living.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward previously said: “Posties are in the fight of their lives against the Uberisation of Royal Mail and the destruction of their conditions.
“But 115,000 of our members will not just accept this war on their livelihoods and their industry.”
In a statement ahead of the strikes, Royal Mail said: ”We’re urging CWU leadership to accept the change and pay offer, call off future damaging strike action, for the good of our customers and our people.
”We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience the CWU’s continued strike action will cause. We are doing all we can to minimise delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected.”
Network Rail
There are multiple disputes involving many employers including Network Rail and 14 other transport operators.
Four unions are involved, these include RMT, Aslef, Unite and the TSSA.
The transport sector first began strikes in the summer.
Ongoing disputes are over pay conditions, jobs, in particular the prospect of compulsory redundancies and working conditions.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT union, says: “This latest round of strikes will show how important our members are to the running of this country and will send a clear message that we want a good deal on job security, pay and conditions for our people.
“We have been reasonable, but it is impossible to find a negotiated settlement when the dead hand of government is presiding over these talks.”
He has also accused the transport secretary, Mark Harper, of blocking a proposed settlement.
The Department for Transport (DfT) rejects this claim.
