RMT Secretary General Mick Lynch accused train operators of not making a «decent offer». to end protracted wage dispute Photo: Leon Neal
The UK will face further disruption to travel next month after 20,000 rail workers prepare for a three-day strike over their long-running wage dispute.
Members of the Union of Railway, Maritime and Transport (RMT) will once again quit their jobs as 14 train operators across England after the companies failed to come up with revised pay proposals.
The latest strike will impact fans who are hoping to attend two Ashes Tests and The Open Championship golf tournaments next month.
This comes as the drivers of 16 rail operators refuse to work overtime for six days next month, threatening to disrupt the trip of Wimbledon-bound tennis fans.
When the next train strikes take place ?
RMT has announced that 20,000 rail workers across the UK are on strike on 20, 22 and 29 July, including station staff, train dispatchers and catering workers.
Three days of strike will affect cricket fans who travel to a fourth and a fifth ash test.
A fourth ash test is scheduled to take place at Old Trafford from Wednesday 19 July to Sunday 23 July. The fifth test is taking place in London. from Thursday, July 27 to Monday, July 31.
The strikes are also at odds with the Open Championship, which takes place from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, July 23 at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Meanwhile, the Aslef train drivers' overtime ban, cancellations — will take place within six days, from Monday, July 3rd to Saturday, July 8th.
The strike coincides with the first week of this year's Wimbledon tournament, which starts on Monday, July 3rd.
This comes after strikes by RMT and Aslef crippled rail passengers in May, including thousands attending the FA Cup Final at Wembley, the Epsom Derby, Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Eurovision final in Liverpool. .
Which rail companies are affected?
RMT members will go on strike at 14 rail companies, including:
- Avanti West Coast
- C2C
- Chiltern Railways
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- GTR (including Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express)
- >Great Western Railway
- Greater England (including Stansted Express)
- LNER
- Northern Trains
- South East
- South Western Railway
- TransPennine Express
- Trains West Midlands
- GTR serves Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express.
The level of violation of Aslef's overtime ban will vary from operator to operator. Affected railway companies:
- Avanti West Coast
- Chiltern Railways
- Cross Country
- East Midlands Railway
- GWR
- GTR Great Northern Thameslink
- Island Line< /li>
- LNER
- Northern Trains
- South Eastern
- li>
- Southern
- Gatwick Express
- Southwestern Mainline Rail
- SWR Depot Drivers
- TransPennine Express
- West Midlands trains.
< li>Greater Anglia
Tips for traveling during a train strike
National Rail warns passengers of «significant disruptions» on strike days. Traffic is also likely to be interrupted and start later the next day.
The National Railroad has advised passengers to:
- Use the Journey Planner. Passengers should check the information shortly before the date of each strike.
- Use the Live Trains page for the most up-to-date information on arrivals and departures.
- Plan ahead and check in advance to travel. This includes checking the entire journey, especially if you are traveling on the first and last train on strike days.
Why are 20,000 railroad workers striking again?
The RMT has accused the train operators of not offering new remuneration to end the long-running strike.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 to negotiate with railway companies and government ministers.
«However, quite unbelievably, no attempt has been made by any of the parties to organize any meetings or put forward a worthy proposal that could help us reach an agreed solution.»
The RMT, led by Secretary General Mick Lynch (center), said the government is preventing train operators from proposing a new wage deal. sets the parameters for the negotiations” of 14 train operators and does not allow them to make new concessions.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the affected train operators, called the latest strikes «completely unnecessary».
Responding to RMT's statement, a Rail Delivery Group spokesman said: «We made three proposals that RMT management blocked without convincing explanation.»
“We are still open to negotiations and we have repeatedly said that we want to increase the wages of our people, but until the union leadership and the executive branch are united in what they want and do not in good faith deal with 30 percent income deficit, the industry will continue to exist. To combat post-Covid, it is difficult to move forward.
“Unfortunately, our employees, our customers and communities across the country who rely on a thriving railroad are suffering as a result.”
In May, RMT members extended the union's industrial mandate to continue the strike for another six months.
Why do Aslef machinists refuse to work overtime?
The train workers' union has been embroiled in a year-long wage dispute that has gone on strike several times since last summer.
The RDG figure suggested a 4% increase in 2022 and then another 4% in 2023.
p>
Mr. Whelan of Aslef said the proposal was «clearly not meant to be passed» as inflation is much higher, meaning the proposal represents a pay cut in real terms.
General Secretary Mick Whelan Aslefa rejected a pay offer presented to the union because in real terms it meant a pay cut. Photo: Dinendra Haria/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images. , he added.
To qualify for the first 4 percent increase, companies need to make a commitment to drivers to learn new routes faster to help fill service gaps and use technology to train new staff faster.
Second year of salary hike will depend on the «successful completion» of reform negotiations whereby drivers who work on Sundays will be required to work under contract unless there is an alternative cover.
The RDG said the change is vital as leisure travel has recovered much stronger than commuter and business travel and is now at 116% of pre-COVID-19 levels.
The group also demanded so that the control of work schedules and training is returned “in the hands of the employers”.
Do you support the ASLEF drivers' strike?
However, the machinists' union said the 8% offer over two years, which would raise the average machinist's salary from about £60,000 to just under £65,000, was not enough.
Since then inflation is mostly in double digits. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in July last year, this figure remained at 10.4% in March.
This means that the pay offer will continue to be a significant reduction in wages in real terms.
An RDG spokesman said: «Further strikes are completely unnecessary, they will only increase pressure on an industry that is already facing an acute financial crisis.»
This article is updated daily with the latest news.
Свежие комментарии