Strike action and parliamentary business suspended following Queen’s death

Strikes are being cancelled across the UK after the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September, with more expected to follow.

Parliament has also changed its schedule and suspended any business for 10 days.

Our reporters are at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to speak to those who are paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

Follow our thread throughout the day here: pic.twitter.com/L4llsJBsbu

— South West Londoner (@SW_Londoner) September 9, 2022

Strikes

Planned strikes by rail, postal and telecommunications workers due to ongoing pay disputes have been suspended.

“The planned railway strike action on 15 and 17 September is suspended,” said Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.

He also expressed the union’s “deepest condolences” to the Queen’s family, friends and the country.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) announced that a 48-hour planned strike by postal and telecoms workers would be cancelled “out of respect for [the Queen’s] service to the country and to her family”.

Following the very sad news of the passing of the Queen and out of respect for her service to the country and her family, the union has decided to call off tomorrows planned strike action. 
 
Further information and communications will follow.

— The CWU (@CWUnews) September 8, 2022

Strikes by the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and train drivers union ASLEF have also been suspended.

The announcements now mean that all strikes planned for next Thursday and Friday have been called off, Network Rail confirmed.

Politics

Parliament has also changed its usual schedule, postponing today’s sitting in the House of Commons to 12pm for tributes to the Queen.

The Commons announced that a number of senior Members will take an oath to His Majesty the King tomorrow, Saturday 10 September at 2pm.

All parliamentary business is suspended for ten days, until the period of National Mourning is over.

Ministers and officials will continue to work on urgent policies during the period.