Christmas strikes: what you need to know

Thousands of air, rail and post office workers will be going on strike in the run up to Christmas with severe travel and postal delays expected across the country. If you're travelling during the festive period or posting last minute presents, here's your need to know on the latest strike updates.

The Post Office

When are they striking?

19 and 20 December

The Post Office strikeThe Post Office strike
The Post Office strike

Why?

In a long running dispute with the Post Office, the CWU (members who work for the post office) will go on strike following the rejection of a union proposal for a structured period of negotiations.

How will you be affected?

At present 97 per cent of the 11,600 branches will be operating as normal. The Post Office have confidently said it’ll be business as usual this Christmas and last Christmas posting dates will not be affected.

Southern Rail

When are they striking?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

19 and 20 December. Southern Rail will stage another walk out from 31 December to 02 January 2017. Disruption is also predicted every day of the festive period because of the ongoing overtime ban and disruption caused by strikes on the surrounding days.

Why?

Southern Rail RMT and Aslef union members are staging a 48 hour walkout over the driver and guard only dispute.

How will you be affected?

If you’re thinking of travelling to London or the surrounding areas brace yourself for severe transport disruption. The Gatwick Express between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport will be affected so make alternative travel arrangements if you’re flying into the London area. All routes operated by Southern Rail will be affected during the festive period. Southern Rail have advised that you should not attempt to travel on any of the affected days.

Swissport baggage handlers

When are they striking?

23 and 24 December

Why?

Over 1,500 check-in staff, baggage handlers and cargo crew at Swissport will strike over a long-running pay dispute, and plans to seriously erode terms and conditions according to Unite.

How will you be affected?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The strike will affect around 18 UK airports. It’s yet to be confirmed what airports will be affected however Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, Newcastle, Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester airports all employ Swissport staff. It’s advised that travellers should take hand luggage instead of large bags and expect delays.

British Airways cabin crew

When are they striking?

25 and 26 December

Why?

Mixed Fleet, one of the five BA fleets, who were all recruited from 2010 onwards are striking over pay. Unite union argues that the contracts are advertised at between £21,000 and £25,000 but in reality, the salaries are around £12,000 plus £3 an hour flying pay.

How will you be affected?

Thousands of flights could be affected but BA have already confirmed the following flights will not be affected:

All flights to and from London Gatwick

All flights to and from London City

All flights to and from Stansted

Flights operated by subsidiary OpenSkies between Paris and New York

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Flights operated by British Airways franchise partners (Comair in South Africa and SUN-AIR in Scandinavia)

Flights operated by other carriers (including oneworld Alliance partners) which have a BA codeshare flight number