Travel Strikes are Still Happening across Europe in December and January

This year's busy holiday season will see travel negatively impacted by industrial activity.

Rail and aviation unions across Europe are warning of strikes in December and January. As people try to return home for the holidays, it's likely that disruptions will occur.

What are the strikes in Europe this Christmas?

Eurostar strikes Christmas on international rail services

The Eurostar strikes of 16 and 18 December was called off in order to allow union members to vote on a new offer.

In a dispute over their wages, more than 100 Eurostar security personnel are set to go on strike 22 and 23 December. These days can bring delays and cancellations.

RMT union claims that industrial action will "severely impact" trains. Eurostar and Mitie, which employs the security personnel, say they will keep passengers informed about any impacts to services.

What strikes are taking place in France this Christmas?

Limon claims that train conductors and ticket collectors are being threatened by a strike in France because they are not considered the same as train drivers. Limon also says that they are not "considered in the same manner as train drivers, even though we work three weekends per month and are away from home 10 nights per month."

They want higher salaries and bonuses that are taken into consideration in pension calculations.

Notices were filed by ticket collectors and train conductors threatening to strike on 23-26 and 30 December, respectively. Only about a third of TGVs at high speeds are expected to operate on the 24-25 December.

After pay negotiations with SNCF fell through, the Sud-Rail union also filed for nationwide strikes between 15 and 19 December. The walkout will begin just one day before French school holidays start.

According to the union, the monthly bonus offer from the rail operator was "bordering on contempt". Sud-Rail urged signal operators to "send mass" their declarations of intention to strike, but they are not the only union calling for action in France.

Air France cabin crew have also issued a provisional note for strikes between 22/12 and 02/01/ Pay negotiations will determine whether these walkouts will proceed.

What strikes are taking place in Italy this Christmas?

Workers across Italy will be striking from 12-16 December. The majority of workers will only be present for one day to protest the draft budget by the Meloni government.

Different areas and sectors will be affected on different days. You should check rail services in your area, as they may be affected at any time during the week.

What strikes are taking place in Portugal this Christmas?
TAP Portugal cabin crew members staged strikes on 8-9 Dec, leading to 360 cancellations. More are planned for Christmas.

Although the exact dates are not yet known, the National Union of Civil Aviation Personnel has agreed to schedule at least five days of action prior to 31 January.

What strikes are taking place in Spain this Christmas?

Five months ago, Ryanair cabin crew members based in Spain went on strike.

The action began on August 8th and will continue until January 7th, every Monday through Thursday. It is likely to impact flights from airports such as Malaga, Madrid, Barcelona, Madrid, and Madrid.

Ryanair said that it does not expect the strike to cause such disruption for passengers.

Long-term walkouts are being held by Vueling cabin crew members who are part of the Stavla union. Strikes will be held on Fridays, Saturdays (Sundays), Sundays, Mondays, and all public holidays between 1 November and 31 December.

According to the airline, disruptions will be minimal for passengers due to industrial action.

Spain's largest trade union CCOO also called for 10,000 strikers at Aena airport operator over Christmas pay. They want a productivity bonus to be restored, which was not given to staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dates are 22-23, 30 and 31 December respectively.

Francisco Jose Casado Moreno (CCOO general secretary for Aena) stated that "We will continue if there is no conflict, during the first quarter of 2023 including Easter."

Spanish regional airline Air Nostrum has announced strikes during the holiday period. They demand better working conditions, wage increases, and improved working conditions.

Dates are scheduled for 23, 26, 27, 29, and 30 December, as well as 2/3 January when pilots will leave for 24 hours.

Spanish law requires workers to provide minimum services to strikers who cause serious disruption to the public or freedom of movement.

What strikes are taking place in the UK this Christmas?

There are rail strikes in the UK during December and January. Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers Union (RMT), announced that its 40,000 members would walk out for eight days during this festive season.

RMT members at National Rail will strike on 16-17 December, 3-4, and 6-6 January. RMT members at National Rail, 14 train companies, and nearly every train operator will be affected by the strike. ASLEF train driver union members are expected to strike on Thursday, 5 January.

RMT also announced that workers would walk out on December 24th at 6 pm and 27th at 6 pm, respectively, as the dispute over pay escalates.

Only one-fifth of trains will operate on strike days. On the days on either side, known as 'shoulder Days', services will run at approximately 60 percent of normal.

Timetables may be altered to accommodate the walkout. Before you travel, make sure that your train is still operating.

Over the Christmas period, hundreds of Heathrow Airport baggage handlers are walking out. They will be on strike for 72 hours between 4 am on 16 December and 4 am on 29 December. The strike is being carried out by staff from 10 airlines, including Qantas and Aer Lingus as well as Lufthansa, Lufthansa, TAP Portugal, and Lufthansa across Terminals 2 and 4.

It is expected that passengers will experience some inconvenience during the busy holiday season, according to the Unite union. It is unlikely that it will be widespread as neither British Airways, which operates half the Heathrow flights nor Virgin Atlantic are affected.

The Border Force staff have been represented by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS Union), which has also voted in favor of a strike.

From 23-26 December to 28-31 December, staff will be participating in an eight-day industrial action. The Newhaven port and Heathrow airports will also be affected by passport checks.

 

Source: euronews.com