Winter of Discontent Strikes Hit UK Hard
The dreaded second ‘winter of discontent’ is here. As December kicks off, strikes are mounting across vital UK services. Train chaos is imminent, London’s buses have been paralysed for days, nurses plan walkouts just before Christmas, ambulance staff vow to join in, and Royal Mail is set to disrupt your festive post.
Bus and Train Strikes Bring London to a Standstill
Union-led strikes have hit TfL bus services hard. Unite is spearheading two major bus strikes:
- Ten days of strikes on Abellio London routes.
- Seven days on Metroline’s TfL bus routes.
Dec 1-3 and Dec 9-10 are particularly brutal, with three days overlapping and affecting 132 London routes — that’s one in five buses off the road.
Rail workers aren’t far behind. Aslef and RMT unions plan multiple rail strikes across London in mid-December, hit by pay clashes and threats to scrap ticket offices.
Elsewhere, Heathrow’s supply chain workers and Woolwich Ferry staff are locking horns over pay, causing further transport chaos.
Key Dates for Transport Strikes
- Dec 1-3: Abellio London & Metroline bus strikes; Woolwich Ferry closed Dec 3-4.
- Dec 8: Metroline bus strikes.
- Dec 9-10: Abellio London & Metroline bus strikes; Woolwich Ferry closed Dec 11.
- Dec 13-17: RMT rail strikes disrupt London’s trains; overlapping with bus strikes on some days.
- Dec 24 & 31: Woolwich Ferry closed.
Nurses and Ambulance Staff Ready to Rock the NHS
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced strikes on December 15 and 20, targeting major London NHS trusts, including Great Ormond Street, Guys and St Thomas’, Imperial College, and Royal Marsden.
Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary, warned this could be the largest nursing strike ever, with up to 100,000 nurses walking out over pay.
“Life-saving and emergency care will continue, but elective treatments and outpatient services will be hit hard,” said Cullen.
Ambulance staff are also gearing up to join the fray, with Unison announcing strike plans over pay and staff shortages before Christmas. Thousands of paramedics, technicians, and 999 call handlers are bracing to walk out.
Royal Mail Strike Threatens to Ruin Christmas Post
Royal Mail workers have already launched strikes affecting parcel and letter deliveries in London and nationwide. Key strike days are November 30, December 1, 9, and 11.
Royal Mail says they’ll prioritise Special Delivery and Tracked parcels, as well as critical medical supplies and Covid test kits. But don’t expect your regular Christmas cards or letters to arrive on time.
The Bottom Line
December looks set to be a nightmare for getting from A to B, seeing a nurse, or even receiving your Christmas gifts on time. With strikes hitting buses, trains, NHS services, ambulances, and Royal Mail, be prepared for disruption chaos this festive season.
