Train strikes: Outrage as London commuters told to expect 26 DAYS of total chaos - December and January 'WIPEOUT' for rail passengers

Strikes in several industries will escalate in the next few weeks, starting with another walkout by Royal Mail workers on Friday.
Strikes in several industries will escalate in the next few weeks, starting with another walkout by Royal Mail workers on Friday.
PA
George McMillan

By George McMillan


Published: 09/12/2022

- 11:48

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:27

Widespread industrial action is set to ruin Christmas plans and travel for many across the country as a number of unions strike

London commuters have shared their outrage as they have been told to expect 26 days of chaos across the festive period.

Widespread industrial action is set to ruin Christmas plans and travel for many across the country as a multitude of unions strike.


Strikes in several industries will escalate in the next few weeks, starting with another walkout by Royal Mail workers on Friday.

Thousands of members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will hold a rally outside Parliament to coincide with the strike.

Border Force staff at airports will strike over Christmas, while nurses will stop work next Thursday in separate disputes.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman urged people to rethink flying around Christmas as she warned of “undeniable, serious disruption” for thousands if strikes go ahead.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), speaks to the media outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Picture date: Friday December 2, 2022.
Widespread industrial action is set to ruin Christmas plans and travel for many across the country as a multitude of unions strike.
Lucy North

Rail union leaders have continued to blame the Government for “blocking” a deal to end the long running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions which threatens more travel chaos in the run up to Christmas.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said the strikes “come gift wrapped from Rishi Sunak”, claiming the Government was preventing rail employers from making any improvements to offers for workers in train operating companies.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) made the same claim on Wednesday evening, warning that a resolution is now further away.

Members of both unions, and Unite, are set to launch a series of strikes in the next few weeks which will cripple services.

The TSSA said that despite some hope earlier in the week that progress and movement could be made in an attempt to resolve the dispute, the Government yesterday “blocked” efforts by employers to table an improved offer.

Members of both unions, and Unite, are set to launch a series of strikes in the next few weeks which will cripple services.
Members of both unions, and Unite, are set to launch a series of strikes in the next few weeks which will cripple services.
GB News

One commuter shared an image of a message displayed on a London Northwest Railway ticket machine which read: “Significant disruption expected between Tuesday 13th December 2022 and Sunday 8th January 2023 due to strike action.

“There may be no trains from this station. Please only travel by train for essential journeys and check your journey details. We apologise for any inconvenience.”

GB News viewers shared their thoughts on the strikes and how they would be impacted.

Mike Nicholson wrote: “I feel numb.If, in the end, Taxpayers are called upon to pay for these pay rises, we can expect inflation to increase exponentially.The end game is that we all get poorer.”

Another viewer wrote: “To be honest not sure we'd notice the drop in service it's that bad as it is.”

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