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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Milo Boyd

18 days of Christmas travel strikes - day by day breakdown of expected travel chaos

Over 500,000 workers are set to strike in the coming weeks as unions fight for better pay and against cuts in services - and this includes a host of industrial action that will affect travel.

That includes Border Force, security workers affecting Eurostar journeys, rail workers and airport staff with plenty of travel chaos anticipated over the Christmas period.

The PCS Union, which represents Border Force, passport and visa workers, announced eight days of industrial action over the Christmas period on Wednesday.

It came after Unite and the RMT Union said workers would be walking out of their positions in train stations, on Eurostar and from their jobs as baggage handlers over the festive period.

Have you had your Christmas travel impacted by the strikes? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Travel over Christmas is likely to be chaotic (AFP via Getty Images)

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the strikes called by his workers would have a "significant impact", with airports already braced to cancel flights.

We take a look at the full day-by-day breakdown of 18 days of travel strikes that could hinder Brits' travel plans.

Make sure to check whether your train or plane is delayed or cancelled, as not all services will be affected.

There is also the chance that negotiations will be successful ahead of the strike days and the industrial action called off.

Large parts of the rail network will be shut down for large parts of the month (Getty Images)

December 13 and December 14

A 48-hour strike has been called by the RMT which will affect "most train companies across Britain", National Rail has warned.

"It is likely that there will be a very limited service on these days with no trains at all on some routes," the organisation warns.

December 16

Unite members employed by Menzies will take part in strike action from 4am on Friday December 16 for 72 hours, affecting baggage handling at Heathrow Airport.

Mitie security staff working on Eurostar will also strike. "We’re currently assessing the impact on our timetable and expect to run most of our trains," a statement on Eurostar's website reads.

A second 48 hour strike by RMT will begin.

Border Force workers are walking out (Getty Images)

December 17 and 18

The baggage handlers employed by Menzies will also be continuing a second and third day of strikes, which could affect journeys at Heathrow Airport.

Meanwhile, Mitie security staff working on Eurostar will be striking on December 18.

The RMT Union's 48-hour strike will affect December 17 only.

December 22

Mitie security staff working on Eurostar are expected to strike.

December 23

Unite workers on East Midlands Railway will walk out in a localised strike.

Border Force workers represented by PCS Union begin their strike, affecting Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports, as well as Newhaven port.

Mitie security staff working on Eurostar will strike for a final day.

Getting home via the rails on Christmas Eve is likely to prove difficult (PA)

December 24

Christmas Eve will mark the second day of Border Force strike action, affecting Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports, as well as Newhaven port.

RMT Union rail workers will walk out from 6pm.

Unite workers East Midlands Railway will continue the localised industrial action.

December 25 and 26

RMT Union rail and PCS Union Border Force workers remain on strike.

December 28

PCS Union Border Force workers return to the picket line after a day off striking.

December 29, 30 and 31

PCS Union Border Force workers remain on strike.

January 3 and 4

RMT Union rail workers are expected to stage a 48-hour strike.

January 6 and 7

RMT Union rail workers are expected to stage a 48-hour strike.

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