Dozens of thousands of railroad workers will have a stage of three days of national strikes at the end of this month, in that their union says will be the largest strike since 1989.
Members of RMT on Network Rail and 13 trains operators will take action on 21, 23 and 25 June. first date matches with separate 24 hour RMT strike on London Underground.
Together strikes threaten tourism chaos for passengers as well for those who attend concerts, test match cricket and the Glastonbury Festival.
Union members voted overwhelmingly for action last a month amid growing discontent over wages and job loss. RMT said the railway staff who survived the pandemic facing pay freezes as well as hundreds of job cuts.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The railroad workers were treated horribly, and despite our best efforts in negotiations, railway industry, with in support of the government has failed take their concerns seriously.
“We have cost of life crisis and this is unacceptable for railroad workers will either lose their jobs or face another year of a wage freeze when inflation is 11.1% and rising.
“Our union will leave now on stable campaign of strike, which shut down Railway system. Railway companies earn at least £500 million a year. year in profit while fat railroad bosses got paid millions during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
union said more more than 50,000 railway workers will be involved. in Action on June 21, and other dates will violate national Railway network for whole week. According to RMT, this will be the “biggest controversy on in network since 1989”.
Transportation secretary Grant Shapps, said: “It is incredibly disappointing that RMT has decided to take action that could drive passengers deviate from the rails network for good.
“The pandemic has changed travel habits, with 25 percent less ticket sales, and the taxpayer in keep the railways running cost of £16 billion, equivalent to £600 per family. We must act now to deliver the industry on stable base.
“We are working with industry to reduce destruction caused strikes, but the unions are jumping gun announcing it when negotiations only just began. We once again want call on unions to negotiate with railway industry so that we can work together to build better, more a modern, passenger-oriented railway.”
Number of passengers remain stubbornly below 80 percent of at pre-pandemic levels, and income previously backed up expensive subscriptions in southeast of England – considered even lower.
Train operators called the strike “disappointing” and urged RMT union continue the discussion and call off strike action.”
Chair of Railroad Delivery Group Steve Montgomery said: “We call on RMT management call off unnecessary and destructive strikes and continue work with us to ensure A fair deal for our people as well as for taxpayer while securing a long-term term future of railroads.
“Not one wins in in event of strike. Staff are losing wages, the industry is losing vital revenues, making it difficult to raise wages, and passengers and businesses are shutting down.
“While we will keep as many services as possible, unfortunately, if this action is continued, significant disruptions will be inevitable.”
