How to Profit as the United Kingdom is Brought to Standstill by Strikes

Much of the United Kingdom has been brought to a standstill as millions of workers go on strike to protest pension reforms. British unions called on public sector workers to protest wide scale cuts to pension programs that the government says are necessary in order to prevent the country from falling deep into debt. The unpopular reforms include measures to cut employer contributions to pension funds while raising workers' contributions, raising the retirement age to 67, a pay freeze for most public sector workers and limited pay raises for the foreseeable future. The strike has affected schools, public transportation, hospitals, garbage collection and many other public services. The disruption to services has proven so severe that many patients are postponing non-critical surgeries. The unions have worked with the authorities to try to maintain most critical services like ambulance services but even ambulance crews in some areas are reported to be on strike. Getting into and out of the United Kingdom will take longer than usual because the passport desks at airports will be severely understaffed. Striking workers are picketing schools, ports, Parliament, libraries and all sorts of other places that provide service to the public. The strike is the latest in a round of strikes and protests to sweep through Europe as workers fight against austerity measures being implemented in order to reduce fiscal deficits across the European Union. The austerity measures are widely unpopular wherever they're introduced and critics say they undermine the possibility of economic growth during uncertain times by undercutting spending and raising taxes.

Traders who believe that the British pension fund reforms will improve the United Kingdom's fiscal health might want to consider the following trade:

Traders who believe that the shut down of British public services could be repeated in more rounds of strikes may consider a alternate positions: