Royal Mail strike adds to UK chaos ahead of Christmas

London, Dec 14 (EFE).- Workers of British Royal Mail began a 48-hour strike on Wednesday amid industrial action of other essential sectors and heavy snowfall that is disrupting transport across the country.

Travelers continue to face rail services disruptions after members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT) walked out on Tuesday for a 4-day-long strike, which is scheduled to pause on Thursday but resume again on Friday and Saturday.

About 20% of rail services are expected to be operational during the strike following failed negotiations between union workers and Network Rail.

Roughly 115,00 members of the Communication Workers Union have walked out demanding better wages during one of the postal service’s busiest periods with customers’ Christmas deliveries.

Some businesses that rely on Royal Mail services are struggling with the economic fallout of the strike action as they scramble to find delivery alternatives for their clients.

Another postal strike has been penned for December 23 and 24.

Further industrial action is expected to take place this week with nurses planning a strike slated for Thursday, and employees working on the maintenance of runways and baggage handlers at London’s Heathrow airport keeping services to a minimum over the weekend. EFE

vg/aef/ch