2023 starts with a tens of thousands of union members striking (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The first week of 2023 is marked by mass industrial unrest over pay, jobs and conditions.
Tens of thousands of workers begin further strikes today – including the railways -leaving commuters facing fresh travel chaos.
Some 40,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at Network Rail and 14 train operators are staging two 48-hour strikes from until Friday, shutting down most rail services across the country.
As a result, passengers – including those returning to work after the festive break – were warned to expect ‘significant disruption’.
Only a limited number of trains will run today and people were urged not to travel unless necessary.
Mick Lynch, general secretary, said rail strikes will continue until the government stops ‘blocking’ a deal to resolve the long-running dispute.
He said there was an ‘unprecedented level of ministerial interference’ preventing a settlement.
Timeline of strikes over the next few weeks
– January 3
RMT members at Network Rail to launch fresh strikes.
Rural Payments Agency (RPA) staff will resume their walkout.
All PCS members at National Highways, working for the traffic officer service, will take action.
– January 4
The DVSA driving examiners’ strike starts in London, the South East, South Wales and the South West.
Traffic officer service workers at National Highways will continue their walkout.
The RMT rail workers’ strike continues.
UK-wide National Highways strike continues.
RPA staff will continue their walkout.
London bus workers at Abellio to go on strike.
– January 5
Train workers at 15 operators with the Aslef union to stage a 24-hour walkout.
The DVSA strike continues in London, the South East, South Wales and the South West.
RPA staff will continue their walkout.
London bus workers at Abellio to go on strike.
– January 6
RMT rail workers will stage another 48-hour strike.
National Highways workers to stage a two-day action in the East Midlands and eastern England.
The DVSA strike continues in London, the South East, South Wales and the South West.
RPA staff to continue their walkout.
– January 7
The RMT rail workers’ walkout continues.
National Highways workers will continue their strike in the East Midlands and eastern England.
The DVSA strike continues in London, the South East, South Wales and the South West.
– January 8
The DVSA strike continues in London, the South East, South Wales and the South West.
– January 9
The DVSA strike continues in London, the South East, South Wales and the South West.
RPA staff to continue their walkout.
– January 10
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union will stage a national strike in primary schools, special schools and early years sites.
The DVSA strike continues in London, the South East, South Wales and the South West.
RPA staff to continue their walkout.
London bus workers at Abellio to go on strike.
– January 11
Unison members working for five ambulance services in England will stage a fresh walkout.
The GMB union, also representing ambulance staff, has now scheduled further strike action for this date.
EIS, joined by the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, will stage another national strike in secondary schools and secondary special schools.
RPA staff will continue their walkout.
– January 12
Workers on London’s Elizabeth line will go on strike.
London bus workers at Abellio will also stage industrial action.
RPA staff will continue their walkout.
– January 13
RPA staff to continue their walkout.
– January 16
EIS to stage a national strike for 16 consecutive days until February 2, which will see members in two local authorities strike each day.
London bus workers at Abellio will go on strike.
– January 18
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members in England will strike.
– January 19
London bus workers at Abellio will go on strike.
RCN members in England will continue their strike.
– January 23
Unison members working for five ambulance services in England will stage another walkout.
– January 25
London bus workers at Abellio will go on strike.
– January 26
London bus workers at Abellio will continue strike.
But the government has denied the claims that it is now the main stumbling block to ending the bitter dispute.
‘We have worked with the rail industry to reach successful negotiated settlements ever since privatisation in 1993 and we have achieved deals across the network in 2021 and 2022 where the DfT has no involvement,’ Mr Lynch added.
‘Yet in this dispute, there is an unprecedented level of ministerial interference, which is hamstringing rail employers from being able to negotiate a package of measures with us, so we can settle this dispute.
‘We will continue our action while we work towards a negotiated resolution.’
National Highway, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), and the Rural Payments Agency employees are also taking part in the action today.
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The walkout by members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) is part of industrial action over pay, pensions and jobs.
Around 100,000 PCS members working in 124 government departments and other bodies have voted for strike action.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: ‘This strike is likely to cause problems for people returning to work after the Christmas break, and while we regret that, it’s important to remember our action could be called off today if Rishi Sunak put some money on the table for our members.’
National Highways said it has ‘well-rehearsed resilience plans’ to ensure that the 4,500-mile strategic road network remains open and safe.
But it expects roads to be busy on both days and drivers are being asked to plan ahead, particularly with national rail strikes being staged at the same time.
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Rail passengers have been warned to expect ‘significant disruption’.
