UK bracing for industrial action on rail, airports, post offices

British trades unions and the government locked horns on Monday as a wave of industrial action started in key sectors ahead the the Christmas holidays.

Postal workers, airline cabin crew, pilots, baggage handlers and rail staff were all embarking on strikes or other forms of industrial action in protests over pay and conditions.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Theresa May said striking workers were showing “contempt for ordinary people”, a claim countered by Trades Union Congress chief Frances O'Grady.

“I think perhaps you should be focusing on what is wrong with these companies that we are ending up in a situation of a dispute,” O'Grady told the BBC.

Postal workers have gone on strike over the closure or outsourcing of up to 300 crown post offices. There is also a separate dispute at larger branches over pay and pensions.

Counter staff walked off the job on Monday and will stay out on Tuesday and Saturday. This will be reinforced by supply chain staff who deliver cash to post offices with action on Thursday and Friday.

Cabin crew at British Airways plan to strike on Christmas and Boxing Day over a pay dispute centred on staff who operate on both short- and long-haul flights which the Unite union says results in lower pay than for staff on other flights.

Baggage handlers working for Swissport plan to stop work on December 23 and 24 in a long running row over pay. At least 18 UK airports will be affected.

Pilots for Virgin Airlines belonging to the Professional Pilots' Union plan to withdraw their “goodwill” and work to rule from December 23 as they demand sole recognition for the PPU instead of rival union Balpa.

The seemingly never-ending saga of Southern Rail was set to continue with train guards ready to walk out on Monday and Tuesday in the dispute over their future role. The company wants to make the guard's job redundant.