Britain could come to a standstill as the wave of strikes sweeping the country reaches its peak this week.
Workers across the transport network, Royal Mail, NHS and civil service are all walking out in ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions.
Further unrest is also possible in the new year as strike ballots for firefighters and teachers close in January while junior doctors are scheduled to vote next month.
With wide-ranging protests in the public and private sectors, Rishi Sunak last week vowed to bring in “new tough laws” to limit strike action although no details have been released by Downing Street as of yet.
About 40,000 rail workers are walking out on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday as part of a long-running row over jobs, pay and conditions, while driving examiners and other civil servants in the Public and Commercial Services Union are also beginning action today.
Postal workers begin two further days of strikes tomorrow while nurses are set to walk out on Thursday after talks with the government broke down.
In another development around six hundred military personnel will start training to drive ambulances to cover for striking NHS workers across the UK later this month. A further 150 are being readied to act as logistical support, defence sources said, with training for both groups to start “shortly”
Highway workers and baggage handlers will join the ranks of those taking action on Friday as the unrest continues to spread.