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STRIKES BACK

Who is going on strike over Christmas and which services will be affected? From British Airways to Southern Rail and the Post Office

A wave of strikes is under way by thousands of workers, hitting the rail, post and airline industries

A SERIES of strikes are threatening to disrupt Christmas for millions of Brits as a wave of walk outs by workers in the rail, post and airline industries gets underway.

Disputes have flared over issues including jobs, pay, pensions and safety involving some of the country's biggest trade unions.

Here we break down the biggest industrial action to take place in December and how it may affect you.

A long-running dispute over changes to the role of Southern Rail guards has led to a series of walkouts this year
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A long-running dispute over changes to the role of Southern Rail guards has led to a series of walkouts this yearCredit: AP:Associated Press

Who is going on strike over Christmas and which services will be affected?

Those working in the rail, post and airline industries have all elected to go on strike over the Christmas period.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Southern Railway have started a 48-hour walk out in a long-running dispute over the role of conductors.

Communication Workers Union members will strike for five days this week, including Christmas Eve, in protest at job losses, the closure of a final salary pension scheme and the franchising of Post Offices.

And British Airways workers are threatening to disrupt air travel by striking.

Passengers queuing up for an express train to Gatwick Airport which was running a reduced service as a result of a train strike
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Passengers queuing up for an express train to Gatwick Airport which was running a reduced service as a result of a train strikeCredit: AP:Associated Press

Southern Rail

Members of RMT are striking in a long-running dispute over changes to the role of guards in a long-running labour dispute that has affected 300,000 passengers for months.

Coupled with a continuing ban on overtime by drivers in Aslef, the action is set to cause fresh chaos.

British Airways says it plans to run its full service on Christmas Day and Boxing Day despite a planned strike by cabin crew
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British Airways says it plans to run its full service on Christmas Day and Boxing Day despite a planned strike by cabin crewCredit: Getty Images

Post Office

The Communication Workers Union said around 3,500 workers would be striking after walk outs at Post Offices across the country.

They are protesting at job losses, the closure of their final salary pension scheme and the franchising of services from Crown offices to firms such as WH Smith.

Further industrial action in the New Year is not being ruled out.

British postal workers began what could become the longest strike in the Post Office's 300-year history as part of a wave of industrial action that is also threatening Christmas travel chaos
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British postal workers began what could become the longest strike in the Post Office's 300-year history as part of a wave of industrial action that is also threatening Christmas travel chaosCredit: Getty Images

The Post Office said nearly all its branches were open despite the strike at the busiest time of the year for Britain's postal service.

A further 1,000 Royal Mail delivery staff could take unofficial industrial action by refusing to cross the picket lines at post offices.

Royal Mail said it was expecting "little or no impact" from strikes.

Virgin Atlantic

Pilots belonging to the PPU union will start a "work to contract" from Friday in a row over union recognition.

British Airways

British Airways cabin crew were holding talks aimed at averting strikes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in a row over pay.

The strike action that was threatened was feared it would ruin Christmas travel for many people.

However, the strikes have now been suspended after a revised offer was given, and will be put to a ballot of union members.

The Southern Railway dispute has affected 300,000 passengers for months
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The Southern Railway dispute has affected 300,000 passengers for monthsCredit: Alamy

Swissair

Employees working as baggage handlers and other ground staff at 18 airports were to strike on December 23 and Christmas Eve in a pay dispute.

This has now been called off.

London Underground

Workers in the RMT and TSSA unions are banning overtime in a dispute over jobs and ticket office closures.

READ MORE

Postmen and women threaten to unleash wave of militant wildcat strikes

British Airways strikes to go ahead on Christmas Day and Boxing Day

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Southern Rail strikes cause more misery for commuters – as MPs consider BANNING future walkouts

 

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