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There’s been months of strike action, with people from all walks of life pushing for fairer pay in line with the cost of living crisis and historic inflation rates.
From rail workers to local waste collectors and barristers, many different unions have gone on strike at different times, leading to some to wonder if there could be a general strike in the UK.
While that remains unknown, we do know that industrial action will continue into November.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Rail strikes
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), will walk out over disagreements on November 5, 7 and 9.
Additional union members who work for specific railway companies and represent workers at ticket booths, stations, control rooms, and support positions will participate in strikes and non-strikes on November 4, 7 and 8.
The RMT were initially planning to strike on November 3 but re-arranged the strike to November 9 to avoid a clash with the Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day appeal.
RMT members on London Overground and on London Underground will also strike over separate issues on November 10, which had also been planned for November 3.
About one in five trains are likely to run, with large swathes of Great Britain with no rail services at all.
General Secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘Some of our members on the train operating companies are some of the lowest paid on the railways.
‘This stands in stark contrast to rail operating company bosses making millions of pounds in profit.
‘We remain open to meaningful talks, but we are steadfast in our industrial campaign to see a negotiated settlement for all our members in this dispute.’
Royal Mail post strikes
CWU members of Royal Mail’s workforce will strike over three days in early November. The dates are:
- Wednesday, November 2
- Thursday, November 3
- Friday, November 4
University staff strikes
The UK higher education sector could be brought to ‘a standstill’ sometime in November or December, after university staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in two national ballots over pay, working conditions and pensions.
More than 70,000 staff at 150 universities could now strike, after turnout among members of the University and College Union (UCU) exceeded the 50% voting threshold in both ballots and more than eight in 10 of those who voted said yes to strike action.
The UCU’s higher education committee will meet on 3 November to decide the next steps.
An spokesperson for the UCU confirmed in a statement: ‘…it’s 150 bosses against 70,000 university workers, who are ready and willing to bring the entire sector to a standstill if serious negotiations don’t start very soon.’
Brewery workers
The UK could be at risk of a ‘beer drought’ in coming months after brewery and delivery workers voted to go on strike.
According to the union Unite, the proposed walk out could lead to a 40% drop in the supply of beer delivered.
Under current strike plans, deliveries are due to be halted from October 31 to November 4.
MORE : It’s been nearly 100 years since the last general strike – The Tories’ disregard for workers means another is inevitable
MORE : Rail strikes: Who is RMT Union leader Mick Lynch and what is his salary?
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