Postal and rail employees leave as strikes intensify

The Royal Mail workforce, as well as driving examiners, will also be on strike for a second day.

On a day when snow, ice, and fog made it difficult to travel by car or plane, the rail workers' strike on Tuesday resulted in services operating at just around a fifth of capacity.

On Wednesday, the majority of rail lines in Scotland and Wales will once again be closed, with just minimal service.

This week is also anticipated to see the first-ever nationwide nurses' strike.

Additionally, on Friday, employees of the rail, bus, baggage handling, highway, and driving examination sectors will strike.

Later this week, the government's emergency Cobra committee will meet for the second time to explore how to lessen the effects of the wave of industrial action.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which has 115,000 members, is taking industrial action during the busiest time of the year for Royal Mail, when consumers and businesses are sending Christmas cards and gifts.

As customers and businesses look for alternative means to transmit their mail, several package operators believe the Royal Mail strike is having a knock-on impact and forcing them to delay next-day deliveries.

The Royal Mail's strike, which has had a significant ripple impact on the entire industry, has caused short delays to our next-day delivery service in a few places, according to DPD Group.

The delivery firm formerly known as Hermes, Evri, reported that "some localized delays" are being caused by bad weather, Royal Mail strikes, and a lack of workers.

Yodel also mentioned that delivery were taking longer in some locations but did not provide a reason.

Royal Mail employees will walk out on strike this week as well as on December 23 and Christmas Eve.

Pay has been a major issue in the conflict throughout the summer, as it has been in all industrial action involving rail, the NHS, teachers, border agents, and driving instructors.

Due to the rising cost of living, workers are asking for pay increases. The inflation rate, often known as the rate at which prices rise, is currently running at a rate of more than 11%, which is the fastest rate in more than 40 years.

This is mostly a result of rising food and energy costs.