Key dates for strikes and potential industrial action affecting the UK

The UK faces a wave of new strikes amid continuing industrial disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

New strikes or ballots for industrial action are seemingly announced every week as workers across the country demand pay rises to keep up with rapidly rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.

The new “winter of discontent” comes amid worsening industrial relations and accusations from union officials that the Government is doing little or nothing to help workers struggling with mounting bills.

Postal workers will stage numerous walkouts in the lead-up to the busy Christmas period, while NHS workers and teachers are being balloted on whether to strike over the coming months.

Here are some of the strikes and potential disputes taking place over the next few weeks:

– October 13:  Postal workers have begun a new strike over pay and conditions, with 19 further days of strike action in the coming weeks.

– October 21: A GMB ballot of 100,000 local government workers closes.

– October 22: Train drivers on Avanti West Coast services to strike in dispute over rosters.

– October 27: A Unison strike ballot of 400,000 NHS workers in England, Scotland and Wales opens.

– November 2: A strike ballot of Royal College of Nursing members closes.

– November 6: Train drivers on Avanti West Coast services to strike again.

– November 11: A strike ballot of sixth-form teachers over a pay dispute closes.

– November 11: A strike ballot of Royal College of Midwives members opens.

– Date TBC:  Strike ballots of GMB union members in all 10 ambulance trusts in England will be held.