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Thousands of workers set to strike in Christmas week Post Office workers lead week of strikes
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of workers will launch a wave of strikes this week, hitting postal services, rail companies and airlines in the run-up to Christmas.Thousands of workers will launch a wave of strikes this week, hitting postal services, rail companies and airlines in the run-up to Christmas.
About 3,000 staff at hundreds of Crown post offices are expected to walk out on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday. A strike at the Crown Post Office has closed around 50 High Street branches.
But the Post Office said so far only 28 branches were confirmed closed, with "business as usual" in most places.
Meanwhile the rail strike at Southern continues with conductors beginning two days of action.Meanwhile the rail strike at Southern continues with conductors beginning two days of action.
Talks aimed at averting a strike by British Airways cabin crew over Christmas are also to be held on Monday.Talks aimed at averting a strike by British Airways cabin crew over Christmas are also to be held on Monday.
Are we facing a Christmas of Discontent?Are we facing a Christmas of Discontent?
The Post Office will be updating its website with affected branches here. At least 207 will be open, the Post Office said, 28 are closed and it is unclear about the remaining 65. The Post Office will be updating its website with affected branches here. There are 300 Crown Post Offices across the UK, mostly situated in city centres.
The Post Office says 250 branches are confirmed open but the union questions those figures and says even if a branch is open, there may be a reduced service.
'Little impact''Little impact'
Workers at Crown post offices, the larger branches usually found on the High Street, are protesting against pension changes, job security and closures.Workers at Crown post offices, the larger branches usually found on the High Street, are protesting against pension changes, job security and closures.
On Wednesday and Thursday, workers who supply many sub-post offices with cash will join the action. On Wednesday and Thursday, delivery drivers who supply many rural offices with cash will join the action.
There are fears the situation could escalate if unofficial action is taken by Royal Mail workers - who are not currently involved in the dispute - and they refuse to cross picket lines.There are fears the situation could escalate if unofficial action is taken by Royal Mail workers - who are not currently involved in the dispute - and they refuse to cross picket lines.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: "There will be little or no impact on Royal Mail as a result of the CWU strike at the Post Office. Deliveries will carry on as normal and the last posting dates for Christmas remain unchanged."A Royal Mail spokesman said: "There will be little or no impact on Royal Mail as a result of the CWU strike at the Post Office. Deliveries will carry on as normal and the last posting dates for Christmas remain unchanged."
Post Office communications officer Mark Davies told the BBC that the last time such action was taken only 80 branches were affected. The pre-Christmas 2016 strikes
He said that the company was trying to become more efficient and reduce its losses, which would be good news for the taxpayer. Southern rail
When? Monday 19 December to Tuesday 20 December
Why? Unions say the dispute is about safety, but Southern and the government say it is political
Post Office
When? Crown Post Office workers on Monday 19 December, Tuesday 20 December, and Saturday 24 December. Delivery drivers to rural Post Offices on Thursday 22 December and Friday 23 December.
Why? Jobs, pensions and branch closures at Crown Post Offices - the larger branches usually located on High Streets
British Airways
When? 25 December to 26 December
Why? Pay for about 4,000 staff who joined after 2010 on "Mixed Fleet" contracts
UK airport staff
When? Friday 23 December to Sunday 25 December
Why? A longstanding pay dispute - the Unite union says wages have not kept up with inflation
Losses
Post Office communications officer Mark Davies said that the company was trying to become more efficient and reduce its losses, which would be good news for the taxpayer.
"We have reduced losses from £120m four years ago, to £26m in the last year, and we hope to break even next year. We don't believe that taxpayers should pay out to support the Post Office, " he said."We have reduced losses from £120m four years ago, to £26m in the last year, and we hope to break even next year. We don't believe that taxpayers should pay out to support the Post Office, " he said.
Meanwhile, guards at Southern rail will strike on Monday and Tuesday in a dispute over the role of conductors.Meanwhile, guards at Southern rail will strike on Monday and Tuesday in a dispute over the role of conductors.
Along with a continuing ban on overtime by drivers in Aslef, the action will cause more misery for Southern's 300,000 passengers.Along with a continuing ban on overtime by drivers in Aslef, the action will cause more misery for Southern's 300,000 passengers.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our conductor members on Southern are on strike this week in defence of the safety of the travelling public and that remains the focus of the entire union."RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our conductor members on Southern are on strike this week in defence of the safety of the travelling public and that remains the focus of the entire union."
Southern was accused of cancelling trains and blaming industrial action even though drivers were available, for the second consecutive weekend. The company has denied Aslef's claim.Southern was accused of cancelling trains and blaming industrial action even though drivers were available, for the second consecutive weekend. The company has denied Aslef's claim.
British Airways cabin crew belonging to the Unite union are due to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in a row over pay.British Airways cabin crew belonging to the Unite union are due to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in a row over pay.
Talks aimed at averting the strike are due to be held on Monday at the conciliation service Acas.Talks aimed at averting the strike are due to be held on Monday at the conciliation service Acas.
In addition, Unite members employed by Swissport as baggage handlers and other ground staff at 18 airports across the UK are set to walk out on Friday and Saturday over pay, although talks will also be held at Acas on Tuesday.In addition, Unite members employed by Swissport as baggage handlers and other ground staff at 18 airports across the UK are set to walk out on Friday and Saturday over pay, although talks will also be held at Acas on Tuesday.
Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association and RMT on London Underground are continuing with an overtime ban in a dispute over jobs and ticket office closures, while pilots at Virgin Atlantic will start a "work to contract" action from Friday in a row over union recognition.Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association and RMT on London Underground are continuing with an overtime ban in a dispute over jobs and ticket office closures, while pilots at Virgin Atlantic will start a "work to contract" action from Friday in a row over union recognition.
'Last resort''Last resort'
Prof Roger Seifurt from the University of Wolverhampton said many of the tensions were longstanding and were "boiling over now because during Christmas they get more media coverage".Prof Roger Seifurt from the University of Wolverhampton said many of the tensions were longstanding and were "boiling over now because during Christmas they get more media coverage".
He told the BBC's Today programme that discontent among workers was not just affecting these companies, and that worsening pensions, stagnant pay and reduced job security was hitting a range of industries.He told the BBC's Today programme that discontent among workers was not just affecting these companies, and that worsening pensions, stagnant pay and reduced job security was hitting a range of industries.
"This is now boiling over into strikes which I think will carry on into the new year."
He added that we were entering "a period of quite bitter and prolonged disputes" where unions will take more strike action.He added that we were entering "a period of quite bitter and prolonged disputes" where unions will take more strike action.
Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC trade union body, pointed out that all the strikes were for different reasons and that the focus should be on the root causes of the problem.Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC trade union body, pointed out that all the strikes were for different reasons and that the focus should be on the root causes of the problem.
"We are working in a background where workers are still £20 a week worse off on average than before the financial crash, where we're seeing inflation rise and real pay cuts come in. We've had the rise of zero hours and sham self employment."We are working in a background where workers are still £20 a week worse off on average than before the financial crash, where we're seeing inflation rise and real pay cuts come in. We've had the rise of zero hours and sham self employment.
"Unions are membership organisations of ordinary working people, and striking is always a last resort, We negotiate and settle thousands of deals." "Striking is always a last resort. We negotiate and settle thousands of deals."
Ms O'Grady added that she feared there might be "another agenda" here to tighten union laws.Ms O'Grady added that she feared there might be "another agenda" here to tighten union laws.
Conservative MP Chris Philp is calling for new laws that would mean in cases involving critical public infrastructure, such as the railways, a High Court judge would decide whether a strike is "reasonable and proportionate".Conservative MP Chris Philp is calling for new laws that would mean in cases involving critical public infrastructure, such as the railways, a High Court judge would decide whether a strike is "reasonable and proportionate".
He also wants similar legislation to that in Spain, Italy and Canada, which means that when there is a strike, 50% of the service still runs.He also wants similar legislation to that in Spain, Italy and Canada, which means that when there is a strike, 50% of the service still runs.
Have your travel plans been affected by the strikes? Tell us about your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have your travel plans been affected by the strikes? Tell us about your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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