Unions across the UK are staging strikes across different sectors, including passport offices, rail workers, and healthcare workers. This has led to significant disruptions to daily life, particularly for travellers. An estimated 3,000 engineers, firefighters, and security guards at Heathrow airport are also set to join the strikes, causing delays and disruptions to flights.
The situation is particularly concerning for EU residents who had planned to travel to the UK or visit their loved ones during the Easter holidays. The strike at passport offices has put over one million passport renewal applications at risk of being stuck in the process. Travellers are advised to check with airlines, train operators, and other travel companies before embarking on any travel plans during this time.
Rail workers have joined the strike in demand of better work conditions and higher salaries. The new offer includes a salary increase of up to 14.4% for the lowest-paid staff and 9.2% for the highest-paid staff, with an additional 1.1% increase in basic earnings and increased backpay. The next train strikes are scheduled for Thursday, March 30, and Saturday, April 1, and are set to affect various train companies, including Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Northern Trains, South-Eastern, South-Western Railway, Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, and GTR (including Gatwick Express).
The strikes in the UK have caused significant disruptions and delays, affecting travellers and those working in affected sectors. The situation remains uncertain, and it is advisable to stay up-to-date with the news and check with travel companies before embarking on any travel plans. Purchasing travel insurance is also highly recommended to protect against potential disruptions caused by the strikes. The tourism industry in the UK may also be impacted by the strikes, with international visitors choosing to travel elsewhere to avoid potential disruptions.
