Bleak midwinter of STRIKES: Union barons plot to bring Britain to its knees

Britain is facing a winter of discontent after 100,000 civil servants voted to strike today as comrades on the rail network agreed new dates and nurses decided on taking industrial action for the first time in more than a century.

Dozens of strikes are set to wreak havoc across the country before Christmas as part of union bosses’ plans to cause maximum disruption.

Union barons have repeatedly threatened to bring the nation to a standstill in what critics claimed was an attempt to force the first ‘general strike’ in nearly 100 years. Nurses, civil servants of all kinds, train and bus drivers, postal workers and even Asda workers have either agreed to strike or are considering it.

Mark Serwotka, the boss of the Public and Commercial Services union, which balloted 150,000 civil servants including Border Force staff – said it would co-ordinate with other unions to cause ‘chaos’. 

Today the PCS said the legal threshold for industrial action had been reached in 126 separate areas, covering workers including driving test examiners, border force officials and Jobcentre staff. Around 100,000 civil servants have voted to strike in a dispute over pay, pensions and jobs.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said the legal threshold for industrial action had been reached in 126 separate areas, covering workers including driving test examiners, border force officials and Jobcentre staff.

The union warned that unless it receives ‘substantial proposals’ from the Government, it will announce a programme of ‘sustained industrial action’ on November 18.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said: ‘The government must look at the huge vote for strike action across swathes of the Civil Service and realise it can no longer treat its workers with contempt.

‘Our members have spoken and if the government fails to listen to them, we’ll have no option than to launch a prolonged programme of industrial action reaching into every corner of public life.

‘Civil servants have willingly and diligently played a vital role in keeping the country running during the pandemic but enough is enough.

‘The stress of working in the civil service, under the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, job cuts and office closures means they’ve reached the end of their tethers.

‘We are calling on the government to respond positively to our members’ demands. They have to give our members a 10% pay rise, job security, pensions justice and protected redundancy terms.’

Britain is facing a winter of discontent after 100,000 civil servants voted to strike today as comrades on the rail network agreed new dates and nurses decided on taking industrial action for the first time in more than a century.

Commercial Services Union (PCS) protest outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Around 100,000 civil servants have voted for a national strike over pay, pensions and jobs

Tube trains are stacked at Neasden London Underground Train Depot today after another walkout in London

Yesterday thousands of nurses across Britain voted to strike for the first time, leading to fears that death rates will rise if the walkouts spread. Strikes are expected to begin in early December and could take place over two dates, potentially a Tuesday and a Thursday. They could last until early May 2023.

The vote is the first time the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has balloted its more than 300,000 members in its 106-year history.

Health insiders fear lives will be lost as a result, with a ‘bank holiday service’ causing delays and cancellations of routine treatment and operations.

But RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said: ‘We don’t intend to place any patient at further risk during the strike. We will manage that safely and effectively.’

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said the strike was ‘disappointing’ and nurses’ demands were ‘out of step’ with the economic pressures facing the country.

No10 also said the vote was ‘deeply regrettable’, emphasising it would cost £9billion to meet the RCN’s pay request, which ‘in the current climate is simply not deliverable’.

The Fair Pay for Nursing campaign is demanding a pay rise of 5 per cent above inflation.

NHS hospitals will do all they can to ‘minimise harm to patients’ if nurses go on strike, a national health leader has said, adding that industrial action is about more than pay.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents most NHS organisations, said there are national and regional plans to minimise the impact on patients, but admitted operations and appointments will have to be cancelled or postponed.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay will on Thursday hold talks with Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union behind the strikes, as he works to avert the industrial action.

Mr Barclay was willing to discuss how working conditions can be improved but was ‘not negotiating’ on pay, the PA news agency understands, as nurses demand a raise of at least 15%.

Mr Taylor warned that industrial action will be ‘a challenge’ for both the health service and NHS leaders.

‘We’re already coping with the gap that exists between the demand that is currently on the health service from the public. We’ve got to meet that demand, and we all know that we are heading into what already is a very difficult winter,’ he told BBC Breakfast.

‘Then we add industrial action into that and it’s going to be an extremely difficult job.

‘The priority will be to try to minimise patient harm.’

Some 3,500 Border Force, immigration and visa officers are threatening to strike over the holiday period, sparking agony for millions planning to travel home or abroad.

This graph shows the Royal College of Nursing’s demands for a 5 per cent above inflation pay rise for the bands covered by its membership which includes healthcare assistants and nurses. Estimates based on NHS Employers data

Meanwhile, postal deliveries will face delays, as more than 115,000 workers plan walk out. The CWU announced they will be notifying Royal Mail they plan to call on their members who collect, sort and deliver parcels and letters to take national strike action on Thursday 24 and Friday November 25 and for Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December 2022.

And a calendar of further rail chaos is planned for November, with Network Rail, London Overground and London Underground staff walking out, including today.

The RMT’s current six-month ‘mandate’ ends at the end of November. If members vote in favour and there is no breakthrough in talks, strikes could continue into Spring 2023. 

Almost 1,000 bus drivers in London are to stage a series of strikes over pay.

Members of Unite employed by Abellio in south and west London will take 10 days of action in the run-up to Christmas.

The union said the company had not made an offer on pay even though an increase is due in January.

The workers will strike on November 22, 25, and 26 and on December 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Abellio is a vastly wealthy multinational company that could and should be paying its workers a fair pay increase.

‘With workers struggling to cope with rampant inflation, Abellio’s failure to even enter into meaningful pay talks is cold-hearted and callous.

‘Unite is now entirely focused on defending and enhancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the bus drivers at Abellio will be receiving the union’s complete support.’

The TUC conference has already voted on ‘joint union action on the cost-of-living crisis and jobs’. It would be the first time since a one-day co-ordinated walkout in 2011, at the height of austerity, that unions have worked together to maximise disruption, and it could effectively deliver the first general strike since 1926. 

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said in her speech: ‘People ask me, ‘Will the TUC co-ordinate strike action this winter?’ And I say, ‘We already are’. When workers are left with no choice but to vote for strike action for decent pay, I say, ‘Bring it on’.’

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, speaking at a fringe event, said: ‘We need an uprising, we need a whole wave of synchronised, co-ordinated action. I don’t care what it’s called… It’s going to be right through the winter and right into next spring. We’ve got to keep this fight going.’ 

Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association, said: ‘General strikes…We’ve already achieved it… We are going to call for synchronised action, generalised action.’

Bus AND train drivers plot coordinated strike chaos: Commuters face MORE travel hell with London bus workers announcing 10 days of walkouts with one on SAME DAY that staff at 12 rail operators down tools… as Tube network is shutdown by unions

Train drivers at 12 operators are to stage a fresh strike in the long-running dispute over pay, threatening more travel chaos across the country.

The news comes as a sixth 24-hour Tube strike brought London to a standstill with millions battling heavy congestion, long bus queues and overcrowded train services – as bus drivers announced a 10-day walkout in the run up to Christmas.  

In the latest strike action to cause carnage of the railways, members of Aslef announced this afternoon they will walk out on November 26 after the union said it was still waiting for a pay offer from the employers, despite a series of talks.

General secretary Mick Whelan said: ‘We regret that passengers will be inconvenienced for another day. We don’t want to be taking this action. Withdrawing our labour is always a last resort for a trade union.

‘We have come to the table, as we always will, in good faith but while the industry continues to make no offer – due to the dodgy deal they signed with the Department for Transport – we have no choice but to take strike action again.

As commuters turned to buses or cars to get to work instead, heavy traffic built up around the capital on Thursday morning

Huge crowds were left waiting for buses outside Monument stations amid growing congestion around the city

More than 30 Underground trains rest at a depot in Upminster due to the current strike action over changes to jobs and pensions

The few Underground stations which are partially open are seeing huge crowds of people trying to leave the station (pictured: Tottenham Court Road)

Hundreds of people flow out of Tottenham Court Road amid strikes which have seen almost all Tube lines closed

People pack onto busy buses near London Bridge early on Thursday as they battle to travel around the city after the Tube network was brought to a standstill

Commuters tried to fit as many people on board this train from Stratford station as possible

Many commuters chose to walk or cycle to work instead – while others chose some more unusual methods such as an Uber boat

Commuters are piling into buses around central London while many simply do not stop as they are too full

Roads around Old Kent Road also saw more vehicles than usual, which adds even more time to the daily commute

Bikes, foldable cycles and electric scooters were all in high demand on Thursday morning by those who had no choice but to travel

Long queues for buses are being seen across London this morning as emergency and key workers battle to travel to work

Commuters board a crowded train at Stratford Station in east London as National Rail services become more busy

As the morning rush hour peaked in London National Rail services also began to feel the pressure as travellers turned to alternative routes

Tube trains lined up at Stanmore this morning as the Tube strike begins, leaving millions facing a nightmare journey to work

There was heavy congestion near Tower Bridge this morning due to to strikes, which have resulted in nine lines being completely suspended for 24 hours

Labour MP Bell Ribeiro Addy (fourth from left) visits the picket line at Elephant & Castle station this morning

Closed shutters at the entrance to Euston underground station in central London, as some commuters only realise strikes are taking place as they arrive

Congestion in London on Thursday was up almost 50 percent at 8am as commuters resorted to cars and buses to get around

‘They want drivers to take a real terms pay cut. With inflation now well into double figures, train drivers who kept Britain moving through the pandemic are now being expected to work just as hard this year as last year but for less. Most of these drivers have not had an increase in salary since 2019.

‘We want the companies – which are making huge profits – to make a proper pay offer so that our members can keep up with the cost of living.’ 

It comes as almost 1,000 bus drivers in London are to stage a series of strikes over pay.

Members of Unite employed by Abellio in south and west London will take 10 days of action in the run-up to Christmas. The union said the company had not made an offer on pay even though an increase is due in January.

Meanwhile London has seen 56 percent more congestion than the same time last year at its peak, with roads clogged with traffic and reports of commuters struggling to catch buses due to them being so busy. 

As well as an increase in demand for taxis, buses and cars, some commuters are cycling or using electric scooters, or even turning to more unusual transport such as boat services on the Thames. 

National Rail services are extremely busy as members of the public crowd into packed carriages following empty trains in the early house of this morning. 

It comes after workers from several unions cancelled strikes on National Rail services this week after they secured fresh talks with rail operator bosses.

Around 10,000 workers across the London Underground network are walking out today, with severe disruption expected throughout the day and into tomorrow morning. 

The RMT said this week that TfL had refused its offer to suspend strike action. Workers from Unite are also joining the walkout.

The 24-hour action is the latest in a long-running dispute with TfL bosses who are struggling to balance the books in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Unions have caused travel chaos for millions this year by staging five other similar strikes, some scheduled to coincide with National Rail action to cripple the country.

Bus drivers from Unite will also now strike on November 22, 25, and 26 and on December 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Abellio is a vastly wealthy multinational company that could and should be paying its workers a fair pay increase.

‘With workers struggling to cope with rampant inflation, Abellio’s failure to even enter into meaningful pay talks is cold-hearted and callous.

‘Unite is now entirely focused on defending and enhancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the bus drivers at Abellio will be receiving the union’s complete support.’

Picket lines at multiple Underground stations are already up and running as workers try and put pressure on TfL to take action. 

Millions now face a struggle to get to work, while those who can work from home instead.

Members of the public are reporting that bus services are so overcrowded that many are not stopping – raising questions over how emergency service staff and other key workers will get to work. 

But national rail services were reportedly emptier than usual in the early hours of this morning as workers opt to stay at home instead of commuting into London. 

Congestion in London by 8am on Thursday was up almost 50 percent on this time last year, bringing the city to a near standstill, according to analysts TomTom.

But the location technology firm said there was only a small change when compared to last week.

Many due to travel today expressed anger at the rail workers as they faced yet another disrupted journey to work.

One quipped that the ‘whole of London’ will be calling in late to work on Thursday while another said it had taken them four-and-a-half hours to drive into work.

Others blamed the Conservative government for the disruption, while the Conservative Party blamed Labour.

And in fresh bad news for commuters it has been announced that London bus drivers will also go on strike for ten days in the run up to Christmas. 

Around a dozen members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and Unite gathered at King’s Cross St Pancras for a picket during rush hour.

The group arrived at 7am, placing a banner reading ‘RMT’ close to the station.

Nearby commuters were seen being turned away from packed buses as the Tube station was closed off.

The dispute is over TfL is proposals to reduce staffing numbers at stations by 10 percent and review its employees’ pension scheme – after an agreement made with central government for a funding settlement to shore up its finances after the pandemic. 

The RMT said it asked TfL to pause job cuts and detrimental pension changes to give both sides the space to come to a negotiated settlement.

The Central line is running a severely reduced service between White City and Ealing Broadway or West Ruislip with the rest of the line suspended.

The DLR is running no trains between Shadwell and Bank, while the Northern line is running a reduced service is operating between High Barnet and East Finchley and between Finchley Central and Mill Hill East and between Edgware and Golders Green only.

All other underground lines are completely suspended. 

Bus services and roads are very busy, with further action from Just Stop Oil on the M25 this morning complicating journeys further.

The Conservative Party blamed Labour and the Mayor Sadiq Khan for the strikes, sharing this image on social media

John Leach, assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said future strikes should be expected.

He said: ‘Our message to the commuters is we regret the inconvenience caused by Tube strikes, of course we do.

‘But I also say to them, if your pension or your job was on the line, or your contract was being ripped in front of you… you would expect your union to stick together to defend your pension, your job and your contract, and that’s all we’re doing.’

Asked if there will be further action, he said: ‘I hope not, I very much hope not, but if there’s no progress made around the table on these issues in discussions with the management and they continue to attack our pensions, jobs and contracts, the answer is yes.’

TfL are warning commuters to expect alternative travel routes to be extremely busy. 

The Elizabeth Line and national rail services will run as normal but are expected to be much busier.

London buses are likely to be crowded and running slower due to busier roads. Docklands Light Railway and London Overground trains could face last-minute disruption. 

London Trams will also be running a reduced timetable.

Even some of the busiest Underground stations remain completely closed this morning, including Kings Cross and London Bridge. 

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘TfL have missed a golden opportunity to make progress in these negotiations and avoid strike action on Thursday.

‘Our members are resolute in their determination to see a just settlement to this jobs and pensions dispute.

‘They will continue their industrial campaign for as long as it takes.

‘TfL need to start making compromises and work with the union to reach a deal that works for staff and avoids further disruption to the lives of passengers.’

TfL urged passengers to check before they travel on Thursday, warning London Overground and DLR services may be subject to last minute changes as a result of the Tube strike, while London Trams will be running a reduced timetable.

Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham, said: ‘TfL must stop behaving like a race-to-the-bottom employer and put forward an offer that is acceptable to our members.’ 

But transport ministers in Rishi Sunak’s government say they represent a ‘change in tone’ compared to their predecessors.

Rail minister Huw Merriman said the Department for Transport’s new ministers have ‘changed the tone’ in the bitter dispute involving railway workers over jobs, pay and conditions.

Asked if he planned to meet the trade union leaders, the former Transport Select Committee chairman told the Railway Industry Association’s annual conference in central London: ‘I’ve always taken the view – and I’ve worked with trade unions through the select committee role – that the only way you get through industrial action is to talk, is to have positive relations, not to make a political issue of it.

‘The negotiations, of course, are being handled by Network Rail on the one hand and Steve Montgomery for the train operators on the other. They’ve got their negotiation teams, as have the unions.

‘I think what we have said is that we stand by willing to aid in any particular way.

‘So whilst there are no current plans for me to go in the room because that hasn’t been requested, myself and the Secretary of State (Mark Harper), I think we’ve changed the tone in terms of how we feel about trade unions.

‘We understand they have their members to represent but we do badly need to see this actually come to an end. It’s cost the railway about half a billion (pounds) this year.’

Commuters have been forced to take alternative transport such as the city’s boat services (left), while others have reported empty National Rail services as commuters work from home instead

Underground stations remained closed early this morning as almost all lines are completely suspended in the long-running dispute

Early morning buses were extremely busy on Thursday with some commuters complaining their stops were being missed due to services being so full

At Victoria Station in central London on Thursday commuters could be seen gathered in large crowds to try and board a bus

Around 10,000 workers from across the Underground network are on strike today from the RMT and Unite unions

The strikes have been condemned by the government, with the Conservative Party tweeting: ‘Tubes are empty today as millions of Londoners suffer yet another day of strikes thanks to Sadiq Khan and Labour.’ 

Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: ‘I would like to apologise to our customers for any disruption caused by Thursday’s industrial action.

‘We met with the RMT and Unite this week to urge them to call off this Tube strike as no proposals to change pensions or conditions have been made.

‘Unfortunately, no agreement could be reached but we remain open for discussions as there is still time for the unions to call off this action.

‘Customers should check before they travel on Thursday and we are advising them to expect very limited or no service on the Tube.

‘London Overground, the Elizabeth line and DLR services may be subject to last minute changes, including non-stopping at some stations shared with London Underground. London Trams will also be running a reduced timetable.’

Mr Leach, assistant general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), called on rail bosses to ‘stand by’ their staff.

He told PA outside King’s Cross St Pancras: ‘My message to TFL now is stand by your staff, listen to your staff, thousands of them are on strike today for the sixth time this year.

‘They’re losing lots of money, don’t they realise in management there’s a serious problem here? What they need to do is stand with their staff.

‘The Mayor of London needs to stand up for staff and do a proper finance deal which gives TfL money it needs to keep the capital city moving, and not trade off the staff pension, jobs and their conditions of employment for some bad deal, which is what they have done.’