All the strikes happening in September 2023 – from trains to the NHS | UK News

Several unions are planning walkouts this month, with some of the country’s most crucial infrastructure potentially affected – from public transport to the NHS.

Others are currently balloting their members on strike action that could take place in September.

So, with September now just a matter of weeks away, which strikes are confirmed to be happening and what could still be called?

Here is what you need to know.

Strikes happening in September 2023

Several unions have already confirmed strike dates in September, with both national and local transport looking to be one of the areas most heavily affected.

Travel to some festivals, gigs, sporting events, and around the end of the summer holidays are likely to be affected.

As always with strike action, things can change at the very last minute if negotiations prove successful, so always check the latest information from Union websites and up-to-date travel advice.

Rail workers

20,000 RMT members are set to take further strike action this summer.

General secretary Mick Lynch said the union has ‘received no improved or revised offer’ from the Rail Delivery Group (which represents the Train Operating Companies), so it had to call more strike days, one of which will fall in September.

Train driver union ASLEF took action during August, carrying out ‘action short of a strike’ – essentially an overtime ban – but the union has also balloted its members in various train operating companies on strike action, with some returning an astonishing 100% in favour.

This means more strike dates are not out of the question.

September 2023 strike dates: Saturday, 2 September.

University staff

The University and College union’s Higher Education Committee met earlier this week and announced new strikes would take place, launching a scathing attack on university vice-chancellors.

Jo Grady, general secretary of the UCU, said: ‘We will not be bullied into accepting gig economy universities, nor will we accept employers imposing punitive pay deductions.

‘While we have agreed to requests for a joint review of sector finances, employers have made no attempt to compromise on the key issues.

‘If they had shown some goodwill, the boycott could now be over. Instead, tens of thousands of students have been impacted and strike action is likely to stretch into next year. 

September 2023 strike dates: TBC but ‘before the end of September.’

Manchester bus drivers

Unite the union accuse First Manchester and Stagecoach Manchester of paying ‘derisory wages’ to drivers struggling with rising living costs while their profits ‘continue to soar’.

Many routes across the city are set to be affected, with some services restricted and others not running at all.

September 2023 strike dates: 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8

NHS consultants

Dr Vishal Sharma, BMA consultants committee chair, said: ‘It is now 133 days since the Secretary of State last met with us – demonstrating the Government’s complete disregard for the expertise and value of consultants, and the very future of the health service and its patients.

‘We are once again appealing to the Health Secretary to return to the table and discuss both pay and reform of the rigged pay review process, so that we can reach a point where strikes are not necessary.’

September 2023 strike dates: 19 and 20

IRN-BRU delivery drivers

Soft drink manufacturer A.G. Barr (which produces popular brands such as Irn-Bru)

is set to be hit by strikes at its production and distribution centre in Cumbernauld.

Unite the union (which represents trucker and shunter drivers) accuses the manufacturer of sitting on a reported net cash position of £52.9 million while refusing to move from a 5% pay offer – despite talks taking place via the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

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