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What strikes are planned in November 2022? From London Tubes to universities

BT employees including emergency call handlers take part in a strike in Co. Armagh
Strike action has brought parts of the country to a standstill over the past few months (Picture: PA)

Months of strike action has taken place – with workers from all walks of life pushing for fairer pay in line with the cost of living crisis and rising inflation rates.

From rail workers to local waste collectors and barristers, many different unions have gone on strike at different times, leading some to wonder if there could be a general strike in the UK.

While that remains unknown, we do know that industrial action will continue into November 2022.

Here are the upcoming strike dates.

Tube and London Overground

London Underground and London Overground staff who are members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport Union (RMT) will walk out on Thursday, November 10 for 24 hours.

Previously, rail staff across the national were due to take industrial action over major disagreements on November 5, 7, and 9 – however these were cancelled for ‘unconditional’ talks.

Rail workers on the picket line outside the Bullring and Grand Central in Birmingham
Rail workers are voting on strike action once more (Picture: PA)

The RMT was also planning to strike on November 3, but rearranged the strike to avoid a clash with charity The Royal British Legion’s crucial London Poppy Day appeal.

However, more chaos may yet to arrive if the union and Network Rail don’t reach a deal, as RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch explained: ‘The current dispute remains very much live.

‘The union is continuing its re-ballot of members to secure a fresh mandate for action with the result due on November 15.’

University staff strikes

University and higher education staff with the University and College Union (UCU) are set to strike at the end of November.

The planned dates are November 24, 25 and 30, and will take place at more than 150 universities.

March In Solidarity With Higher Education Strikes in London
The higher education sector will come to ‘a standstill’ this winter (Picture: Wiktor Szymanowicz / Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Around 70,000 university staff with UCU voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action over pay, working conditions, and pensions, in two recent national ballots.

UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said: ‘Campuses across the UK are about to experience strike action on a scale never seen before. 70,000 staff will walk out and make clear they refuse to accept falling pay, cuts to pensions and insecure employment.

‘This is not a dispute about affordability – it is about choices.

‘Vice-chancellors are choosing to pay themselves hundreds of thousands of pounds whilst forcing our members onto low paid and insecure contracts that leave some using food banks. They choose to hold billions in surpluses whilst slashing staff pensions.

‘UCU members do not want to strike but are doing so to save the sector and win dignity at work.’

Royal Mail post strikes

Royal Mail workers called off strikes after an emergency meeting on Sunday, October 30.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said it had decided to withdraw industrial action notices after a legal letter from Royal Mail. The strikes were originally set to take place on November 2, 3 and 4 – with additional action on November 8, 9 and 10.

There were previous plans for strike action on November 12 and 14, too, but these have also been withdrawn.

Judging by the CWU and Royal Mail websites, it seems there will be CWU strike action later in November, instead.

The CWU website states the aforementioned dates and shares: ‘The pay dispute is not complicated. Our members are striking for a pay rise that fully addresses the current cost of living.

Royal Mail workers on the picket line in Sheffield during strike action
Caption: Royal Mail Strike Sheffield Provider: CWU/ Twitter

‘Our members need it, our members deserve it – the company can afford it.’

Royal Mail’s website, however, notes that the dates have (at the time of writing) not been formally notified to them (and they need to be within 14 days to go ahead).

The company also adds: ‘On October 31, Royal Mail proposed a new conditional pay-for-change offer to [CWU] worth 9% for CWU-grade colleagues which includes a 7% salary increase over two years, plus a lump sum payment of 2% of pay this year.

‘The offer is subject to agreeing a programme of change with the CWU. The CWU claim they are open to change but they now need to show it.’

MORE : How to get the latest £324 cost of living payment

MORE : Why your train may be ‘severely disrupted’ despite strikes being called off

MORE : Hundreds of thousands of nurses vote to go on strike for the first time

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