Strikes on Britain’s rail network are expected to wreak havoc on passengers this month. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said industrial action is expected to take place on June 21, 23 and 25 unless a resolution can be reached.
The RMT has called a strike amid a dispute over wages and possible job losses. On the first day of the strikes, London Underground workers are also to stand down in a separate jobs and pensions dispute.
Union members working in 13 railway companies will take part in the strike. All businesses operate across the country and major disruption is expected, particularly for commuters and punters trying to get to events such as this year’s Glastonbury Festival, reports Gloucester Live.
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When are the strikes?
June 21, 23 and 25. On day one, London Underground workers are also due to go on strike, meaning more than 50,000 railway workers will be furloughed.
Why do strikes take place?
This is a dispute over wages and possible job cuts. RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘Railway workers have been treated appallingly and despite our best efforts in negotiations the rail industry, with the support of the Government, has not taken their concerns seriously .
“We have a cost of living crisis, and it is unacceptable for railway workers to lose their jobs or face another year of wage freezes while inflation is at 11.1% and rising. Our union will now embark on a sustained industrial action campaign that will shut down the rail system.
“Rail companies make at least £500million in profits a year, while fat cat rail bosses have been paid millions during the Covid pandemic. This inequity fuels the anger of our members and their determination to obtain a fair settlement. RMT is open to serious negotiations with railway bosses and ministers, but they will have to come up with new proposals to avoid months of disruption to our railways.
Which 13 lines will be affected by the strikes?
Chiltern Railways
Cross country trains
Greater England
LNER
East Midlands Railway
c2c
Great Western Railway
Northern Trains
South Eastern Railway
South West Railway
Trans Pennine Express
Avanti west coast
West Midlands Trains.
Can the dispute be resolved without a strike?
Maybe, if a deal can be reached before June 21. Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: “We continue to meet with our unions to discuss their pay concerns and we are doing everything we can to avoid a strike on the railway. We know the cost of living has gone up and we want to give our people a pay raise, but the RMT needs to recognize that we are a public body and any pay raises need to be affordable to taxpayers.
“Travel habits have changed forever and the railway must change too. We cannot expect to take more than our fair share of public funds, so we need to modernize our industry to put it on a solid financial footing for the future. Failure to modernize will only lead to the decline of the industry and more job losses in the long run.
“There are two weeks left before the first strike is scheduled. We will use this time to continue talking to our unions and, through compromise and common sense on both sides, we hope to find a solution and avoid the damage that a strike would cause to all parties involved.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-06-08 12:47:56
