UK post, rail workers walk out in Christmas strikes

AFP, LONDON:  British postal workers began what could become the longest strike in the Post Office’s 300-year history yesterday as part of a wave of industrial action that is also threatening Christmas travel chaos.
Thousands of members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are planning to strike for five days in protest at job losses and pension changes, upping the pressure on Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May.
The CWU said around 3,500 workers would be striking, hitting hundreds of post offices at the busiest time of the year for Britain’s postal service.
A further 1,000 Royal Mail delivery staff could take unofficial industrial action by refusing to cross the picket lines at post offices although Royal Mail said it was expecting “little or no impact” from strikes.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Southern Railway have also said they will strike on Monday and Tuesday in a long-running labour dispute that has affected 300,000 passengers for months.
British Airways cabin crew are also holding talks on Monday aimed at averting strikes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, while Swissport baggage handlers are planning walkouts on Friday and Saturday.
‘Bring down’ the government? 
May is facing calls from members of her own Conservative Party to intervene and tighten legislation to prevent rail strikes.

UK post, rail workers walk out in Christmas strikes

AFP, LONDON: British postal workers began what could become the longest strike in the Post Offices 300-year history yesterday as part of a wave of industrial action that is also threatening Christmas travel chaos. Thousands of members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are planning to strike for five days in protest at job losses and pension changes, upping the pressure on Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May. The CWU said around 3,500 workers would be striking, hitting hundreds of post offices at the busiest time of the year for Britains postal service. A further 1,000 Royal Mail delivery staff could take unofficial industrial action by refusing to cross the picket lines at post offices although Royal Mail said it was expecting little or no impact from strikes. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Southern Railway have also said they will strike on Monday and Tuesday in a long-running labour dispute that has affected 300,000 passengers for months. British Airways cabin crew are also holding talks on Monday aimed at averting strikes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, while Swissport baggage handlers are planning walkouts on Friday and Saturday. Bring down the government? May is facing calls from members of her own Conservative Party to intervene and tighten legislation to prevent rail strikes.