Road strikes: December 2022 dates and how will they affect Christmas travel?
Members of the public and commercial services union working on England’s motorways have voted in advance to go on strike Christmas and over New Years.
The PCS planned strike is just the latest in a series of strikes in the transport sector as workers fight for better wages and working conditions.
But on what dates are the road workers planning to go on strike and how will the strikes affect Christmas trips?
Here’s everything you need to know.
On which days do the road workers plan to go on strike?
London and the South East will be hit next by strikes on December 22, 23 and 24, followed by other areas of the country later in the month and early January.
When are the December and January strikes?
The full list of strike dates is as follows:
- December 22 – London and South East
- 23rd of December – London and South East
- 30th of December – West Midlands and South West
- December 31 – West Midlands and South West
- January 3rd – All areas
- January 4th – All areas
- 6th January – East Midlands and East England
- January 7th – East Midlands and East England
Why are the road workers striking?
The PCS is a union representing UK government workers.
Various other elements of its membership have (and are) going on strike, including border guards and employees of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
Like many other striking workers, people working on England’s motorways voted for industrial action after a wage dispute.
They also lash out on pension equity, job security and no cuts in layoff conditions.
PCS Secretary General Mark Serwotka said: “We know our members’ actions could harass travelers who wish to visit relatives over the holiday period, but our members have been put in this situation by a government that is not listening to its own workforce.
“With the cost of living crisis grave, they deserve to be paid well for the important work they are doing in keeping our streets safe and free. The government is in charge here – they are able to stop these strikes by putting money on the table.”
How will the strikes affect Christmas travel?
National Highways Workers plan, design, build, operate and maintain the country’s roads, and PCS has said a strike could shut down the road network.
Although the roads are to remain open to tourist traffic, drivers should expect delays and the possibility of last-minute closures.
That means Brits looking to head home for Christmas will need to plan their trips around the strike dates.
With many street strikes coinciding with rail strikes, some days will be incredibly difficult to travel so make sure you plan ahead to avoid being stranded.
MORE : London bus strikes called off after drivers received pay rise
MORE : Eurostar workers announce Christmas strikes on four dates next month
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https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/22/road-strikes-december-2022-dates-and-how-will-it-affect-christmas-travel-2-17974846/ Road strikes: December 2022 dates and how will they affect Christmas travel?