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A festive season of disruption lies ahead for people living in Oxfordshire as multiple sectors are expected to go on strike this month.
Industrial action is set to disrupt everything from rail services to postal deliveries as trade unions are locked in bitter disputes with industry bosses over pay, jobs and conditions.
In Oxfordshire, the striking workers include: rail staff, ambulance crews, nurses and healthcare support workers and Royal Mail staff.
Many of the unions organising the strikes are calling for better pay in light of the cost-of-living crisis, as inflation rises at its fastest rate in 40 years.
They say the pay offers currently on the table would be a real-terms pay cut for staff as the price of food and utilities continues to skyrocket.
Notably, members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will be walking out for the first time in its history, with up to 4,000 staff expected to strike across the county’s NHS Trusts.
The rail and Royal Mail strikes are expected to have the biggest impact on the festive period.
Posties will walk out on ten key dates during in the run up to Christmas including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The lack of postal service also poses a risk to a parish election which is being held in Kidlington on December 15.
People casting their votes for the parish by-elections in the St Mary’s and Roundham wards are being urged to return their ballots as soon as possible to avoid them being held up by Royal Mail strike action.
Yvonne Rees, Returning Officer, said: “We want as many local voters as possible to have their say in these two Kidlington Parish Council by-elections.
Those looking to travel to see family and friends for Christmas could face an arduous journey, as several key routes in and out of Oxfordshire by rail are likely to be shut.
While the county’s key operators have yet to release the amended timetables and routes during action on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and December 27, previous strikes have resulted in minimal service for passengers.
“But there is some chance of disruption to postal deliveries because of industrial action that we know is planned by the Royal Mail workforce, so we strongly encourage people to return their postal votes as soon as possible.”
Alongside workers who are expected to strike, more sectors are balloting members over industrial action.
On Monday (December 5), the Fire Brigades Union for Oxfordshire officially opened the strike ballot to its members. This is was followed by around 100 fire and rescue staff from the county travelling to London to protest and demand a pay increase.
A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council, who oversees the fire service, said: “We are still hopeful that a resolution can be found to this national pay dispute.
“However, should this dispute result in strike action being taken, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service will be looking to keep the public informed if any industrial action is announced by the FBU.”
The Public and Commercial Services Union which represents civil servants, including Border Force officers, Passport Office staff and National Highways employees, has backed strike action but is yet to confirm dates.
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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.
You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry
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