Thousands of workers across the UK are now on strike with more set to come over the next few weeks.
As we get closer to Christmas, it has been announced that the public - including locals in Glasgow - should expect some disruption. It comes as rail staff and postal workers are among those expected to walk out with industrial action set to continue into 2023.
But what does this all mean and if you live in Glasgow, how will you be affected? Here's what you need to know...
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Royal Mail strikes and final posting deadlines dates
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) – who represent Royal Mail workers – are set to strike across more days - including Christmas Eve.
At present, the strikes are planned for the following dates:
- December 9
- December 11
- December 14
- December 15
- December 23
- December 24
The strikes come amid a pay dispute meaning its 115,000 members will soon walk out. Royal Mail bosses however, who have been consulting on plans to cut around 10,000 full-time jobs by August, have offered nine per cent hike over 18 months, which it says is its “best and final offer.”
What are the last posting dates in the UK?
As a result, people are being urged to allow plenty of time for their deliveries on the run up to Christmas Day. If you are sending anything by first class, they need to be sent by December 21 in order to reach the indented recipients in time for Christmas. However if it's second class, it should be posted by December 19.
The deadline for posting to non-European countries has passed.
The following dates are the final cut-offs for sending letters and parcels in time for Christmas:
- December 16 - Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy
- December 19 - 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For, Royal Mail 48
- December 21 - 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, Royal Mail 24, Royal Mail Tracked 48
- December 22 - Royal Mail tracked 24
- December 23 - Special Delivery Guaranteed
International standard, tracking and signature services deadlines
- December 7 - Africa, Asia (except China, People’s Republic), Central and South America, Far and Middle East
- December 8 - Cyprus and Malta
- December 9 - Greece, Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) and Turkey
- December 10 - Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA
- December 12 - Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland
- December 14 - Belgium, France, Luxembourg
The deadline has passed for Australia, New Zealand, China (People’s Republic), British Virgin Islands, Dominica and Anguilla as well as all remaining Caribbean destinations.
Train strikes and how Glasgow services will be affected
Glasgow rail passengers are expected to face further disruption when it comes to travel after RMT Network Rail members voted to continue striking over a dispute about pay, jobs and working conditions. The RMT announced on Monday (December 5) that they would put the pay deal to union members, advising them to reject it with the electronic ballot set to remain open until noon next week on December 12 (Monday).
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced strike dates which would take place ahead of the festive season.
Industrial action will be held across four 48-hour periods which is set to take place on the following dates:
- December 13
- December 14
- December 16
- December 17
- December 24
- December 27
- January 3
- January 4
- January 6
- January 7
More than 40,000 RMT members are expected to take part, the union confirmed. However the strikes not only include conductors and drivers, but signalling staff too meaning it is likely that a small number of services will run.
ScotRail confirmed in a statement the strikes "will cause disruption to ScotRail services, as Network Rail Scotland signallers and maintenance staff, who are in safety-critical roles, will be on strike."
The ScotRail website will update on the days of the strikes to let customers know if their service has been affected.
You can read more about how the Glasgow Christmas train strikes will impact Glasgow here.
Glasgow coffin supply facing disruption
A Glasgow coffin factory is facing disruption to its supply as workers prepare to go on strike for the third month in a row with Unite confirming further strike action is set to hit the Co-op Funeralcare in Govan this week.
It comes after bosses 'failed to make an acceptable offer' to resolve the pay dispute. As previously reported by Glasgow Live, around 50 craft workers based at the Co-op’s factory in Govan are fighting for a fair pay award.
The company offered around four per cent for 2022, and five per cent for 2023 however both have been rejected amid soaring inflation rates.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Co-Op seem to be revelling in playing the role of Scrooge this Christmas. Unite’s members deserve a fair pay award yet they have been made an offer which falls three times behind the current cost of living. This is totally unacceptable and our members will have their union’s full backing in this fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Willie Thomson, Unite industrial officer, added: "Bosses at the Co-op Funeralcare and Co-op UK have quite frankly dumped their cooperative values in the bin. They have chosen to subcontract and pay third party suppliers in preference to their workers who are rightly seeking a fair wage settlement.
“As well as ignoring their workers they are also ignoring the voices of politicians after the Co-op was named and shamed at both Holyrood and Westminster parliaments. The Co-op risks significant reputation damage and disruption to its supply of coffins by deliberately taking the decision to escalate this dispute.”
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