Rail, mail and the public sector on strike this week

Rail, mail and the public sector are set to be affected by strike action this week, with three separate strikes planned.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union will walk out from Southern Railway for 24 hours on Wednesday in a dispute over driver-only trains, and the role of conductors.

The strike had been set down for Friday, but was switched to Wednesday by the RMT after what it called “threatening and abusive” behaviour by the operator, Govia Thameslink Railway, after it set a deadline of 20 May for staff to agree to the planned changed role of onboard guards.

“This is clearly a cynical ploy by RMT leadership to maximise the disruption their action will have on passengers,” said a Southern Railway spokesman.

“We totally refute the RMT’s groundless allegations.”

At Royal Mail, 4,800 managers are set for industrial action as the long-running pay dispute continues.

The Unite union has warned of disruptions to postal deliveries as the managers begin an overtime ban from Wednesday, adding to the work-to-rule that was implemented on 4 May.

And finally, members of the Public and Commercial Services Union will strike on Thursday after voting to take action over the Department for Business’ plan to close its Sheffield office and move jobs to London.

Almost 96% of 150 affected PCS members elected to walk out on a 53% turnout, with the union not ruling out further strike action.