Rail union plans for largest industrial motion in a long time

Glastonbury festival-goers and cricket followers face journey chaos later this month as 1000’s of railway staff participate in three days of strikes.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Community Rail and 13 prepare operators will stroll out on June 21, 23 and 25, within the greatest outbreak of business motion within the business in a era.

The RMT additionally introduced one other 24-hour strike on London Underground on June 21 in a separate row over jobs and pensions.

The strikes threaten widespread journey disruption throughout various main occasions, together with concert events, take a look at match cricket and the Glastonbury competition.

Glastonbury begins on June 22, whereas that week may also see England play New Zealand in a take a look at match in Leeds, the British athletics championships in Manchester, and gigs in London’s Hyde Park by Sir Elton John (June 24) and The Rolling Stones (June 25).

There may also be a Commonwealth Heads of Authorities assembly in London on June 24 and 25 and it’s Armed Forces Day on June 25.

The union stated will probably be the largest strike on the railways since 1989.

Union members voted overwhelmingly for motion final month in rising rows over pay and job losses.

The RMT stated rail workers who labored via the pandemic have been going through pay freezes and tons of of job cuts.

RMT common secretary Mick Lynch stated: “Railway staff have been handled appallingly and regardless of our greatest efforts in negotiations, the rail business with the assist of the federal government has didn’t take their issues critically.

“We have now a cost-of-living disaster, and it’s unacceptable for railway staff to both lose their jobs or face one other 12 months of a pay freeze when inflation is at 11.1% and rising.

“Our union will now embark on a sustained marketing campaign of business motion which can shut down the railway system.”

Mr Lynch added that the union was “open to significant negotiations with rail bosses and ministers, however they might want to give you new proposals to forestall months of disruption on our railways”.

The union stated greater than 50,000 railway staff will stroll out on June 21, including that the motion will have an effect on the nationwide railway community for all the week.

Andrew Haines, Community Rail’s chief govt, stated the organisation was “doing every thing we are able to” to keep away from the strike motion.

“There are two weeks till the primary strike is deliberate. We are going to use this time to maintain speaking to our unions and, via compromise and customary sense on either side, we hope to discover a resolution and keep away from the harm that strike motion would trigger all concerned,” he stated.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps described the transfer as “extremely disappointing”.

“The pandemic has modified journey habits – with 25% fewer ticket gross sales and the taxpayer stepping in to maintain the railways operating at a price of £16 billion, equal to £600 per family. We should act now to place the business on a sustainable footing,” he stated.

“We’re working with business to scale back disruption brought on by strike motion, however unions are leaping the gun by saying this when talks have solely simply begun.”

Rail Supply Group Chairman Steve Montgomery stated the strikes have been “pointless and damaging”.

Anthony Smith, chief govt of the watchdog Transport Focus, stated: “It’s essential that every one events get again across the desk and resolve this matter with out bringing the railway to a standstill.

“It’s passengers that suffer most within the occasion of strikes. Passengers will want loads of advance details about the strikes and what companies will probably be operating to permit them to plan their journeys throughout this unsure time.”