Who is striking over Christmas and when? December strikes explained

5 December 2023, 16:13

Buses, trains and the NHS will all be affected by strike action over the next few weeks
Buses, trains and the NHS will all be affected by strike action over the next few weeks. Picture: Getty
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Trains, buses and the NHS will all be impacted by strike action over Christmas and the New Year - but when exactly will you be affected by industrial action?

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A number of unions have announced industrial action over the next few weeks, including Aslef, which represents train drivers.

It is not only the trains that will be affected by strike action, but buses too.

Up until today, industrial action was confined to public transport, but that all changed when junior doctors announced a fresh wave of strikes over Christmas and the New Year.

Here are the exact dates industrial action will take place.

Train strikes

More strikes will be taking place in December
More strikes will be taking place in December. Picture: Getty

There were train strikes over the weekend and even more taking place today and tomorrow.

Today, C2C and Greater Anglia train drivers are on strike.

Even more passengers will be disrupted tomorrow (December 6) when train drivers from the following companies walk out:

  • Southeastern
  • Southern/Gatwick Express
  • SWR main line
  • SWR depot drivers
  • Island Line

On Thursday, December 7, train drivers from CrossCountry and GWR will go on strike.

On Friday, December 8, drivers from Northern and TPT will walk out.

Drivers will refuse to work overtime from 1-9 December.

Bus strikes

Mass strikes took place in March 2023
Mass strikes took place in March 2023. Picture: Getty

As well as train strikes, Londoners will be hit by bus strikes over the Christmas period.

Strikes will be taking place on:

Friday, December 1

Monday, December 4

Friday, December 22

Saturday, December 23

Which routes will be affected?

  • 218 –  Hammersmith to/from North Acton
  • 295 –  Ladbroke Grove to/from Clapham Junction
  • 414 –  Putney Bridge to/from Marble Arch
  • 23 –  Great Western Road to/from Aldwych
  • 28 –  Wandsworth to/from Harlesden
  • 452 –  Ladbroke Grove to/from Vauxhall
  • 13 – North Finchley to/from Victoria Station
  • N28 –  Wandsworth to/from Camden

Junior doctors strike

Striking members of the BMA and UNIT trade unions march around Royal London Hospital in October
Striking members of the BMA and UNIT trade unions march around Royal London Hospital in October. Picture: Getty

It is not just Britain's transport network that will be affected by strikes over the Christmas period, but the NHS too.

It was announced today that junior doctors will go on strike in England this month and next month after rejecting a proposed 3% pay deal offered by the government.

Junior doctors will strike on December 20 from 7am to 7am on December 23.

They will then go on strike on January 3 at 7am until 7am on January 9.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The Belem, the three-masted sailing ship bringing the Olympic flame from Greece, sails past a container ship decorated with the Paris 2024 logo when approaching Marseille, southern France

Ship carrying Olympic torch arrives in Marseille amid fanfare and high security

Russell Brand has posted a new picture of him hugging Bear Grylls in the Thames

Russell Brand hugs Bear Grylls in the River Thames after being baptised in a bid to ‘leave behind his sins’

Secretary of defence Lloyd Austin speaks during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defence on Capitol Hill in Washington

Pentagon chief confirms US paused bomb shipment to Israel over Rafah concerns

Lauren Wasser lost both of her legs

Model, 24, issues stark warning to all women after losing both legs due to correct use of tampons

Georgia Harrison was the victim of Stephen Bear's revenge porn

Reality star Georgia Harrison says leaked sex tape filmed without consent by Stephen Bear 'spread like a house fire'

Supermarkets have been warned they must start selling items at the appropriate price levels

Grocery stores caught charging wrong prices for everyday staples including coffee and crisps - see full list of items

Andrew Tate has been served with civil proceedings papers at his home in Romania.

Four British women sue Andrew Tate over rape and physical assault allegations

Charles and Harry are not going to meet

King Charles and Prince Harry at London events just two miles apart - but no hope for reunion between father and son

Exclusive
John McDonnell and Mish Rahman have both questioned the move to accept Natalie Elphicke into the Labour party

John McDonnell 'shocked' by Natalie Elphicke defecting to Labour, as top official brands party 'dustbin for far right'

David Lammy has said that Trump's approach to Nato is “misunderstood”.

Donald Trump’s approach to European security is ‘misunderstood’, says Labour's David Lammy

Rebecca Joynes is accused of having sex with teenage boys

'Anyone in my position would have had sex with good-looking teacher,' schoolboy, 15, tells police as she stands trial

Natalie Elphicke has defected to the Labour Party

'Monumental disloyalty’: Shocked MPs hit out at Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour

Rebel Wilson has broken her silence on the pair's divorce.

Rebel Wilson breaks silence over Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher divorce following memoir speculation

Kate Osamor

Labour MP Kate Osamor has whip restored after being suspended for Gaza comments

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on buildings near the separating wall between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip

Israel reopens key Gaza crossing but UN says no aid has entered

Fani Willis

Georgia appeals court agrees to review ruling allowing DA to stay on Trump case