Thousands of railway workers go out for three days in June in biggest strike since 1989 | UK News

Rail workers planning a three-day strike later this month will “shut down the system”, according to the union RMT.

It said up to 50,000 members on Network Rail, 13 train operators and on the London Underground will leave on June 21 in “the largest outbreak of industrial action in the UK since 1989”.

An estimated 40,000 railway workers – not including members of the Tube Company – will go on strike on June 23 and 25.

The following strike dates votes ended last month.

There are three central issues of the dispute for unions: pay, mandatory redundancy and safety concerns.

The incident stemmed from government requests for savings on a network already backed by taxpayers of up to £16 billion as passenger numbers tumbled during the COVID crisis.

RMT Secretary General Mick Lynch said: “Railway workers have been treated horribly and despite our best efforts in negotiations, the rail industry with government support has not take their concerns seriously.

“We are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, and it is unacceptable for railway workers to lose their jobs or face another year of wage freezes when inflation is at 11.1% and growing. increase.

“Our union will now embark on a campaign of sustainable industrial action that will shut down the rail system.

“Rail companies are making at least £500 million a year, while fat railway owners have been paid millions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This unfairness is fueling our members’ anger and determination to win a fair resolution.

“RMT is open to meaningful negotiations with railway bosses and ministers, but they will need to come up with new proposals to prevent a multi-month disruption on our railways.”

Last month, the government said contingency plans were being put in place to mitigate the impact of any strikes but freight services – to maintain the flow of goods – would have to be prioritized. than passenger service.

There is also apparently a blood relationship between transport secretary Grant Shapps and the union movement.

Comments in a Sunday Telegraph interview, in which Mr Shapps said the government was considering drafting legislation to ensure a minimum level of service during industrial activity, raised doubts. of the union.

The ongoing industrial action will be seen as a major test for Boris Johnson’s administration as it seeks to focus on the problems the country is facing, such as addressing cost of living crisisafter a slim victory for the Prime Minister in Monday’s vote of confidence among Conservative MPs.

Disruption due to a London Underground dispute has also been troubling for airline passengers as airports and airlines face staff shortages that have forced flights to be cancelled. several months and severe delays – most recently during the half-way through the holiday season.

Network Rail’s CEO, Andrew Haines, is hopeful that an agreement can be agreed to prevent rail strikes.

“We continue to meet with our unions to discuss their pay concerns and we are doing everything we can to avoid strike action on the rails,” he said in a statement.

“We know the cost of living has increased and we want our people to get a raise, but the RMT has to recognize us as a public agency and any increase in wages has to be in our pocket. taxpayers.

“Travel habits have changed forever and railways must change too. We cannot expect to use more of our public funds and so we must modernize our industry to lay a strong financial foundation for the future.Failing to modernize will only lead to a decline in the industry and more job losses in the long run.

“Two weeks to go until the first strike is scheduled. We will use this time to continue talking with our unions and through compromise and common sense both. side, we hope to find a solution and avoid the damage that strike action will cause to all involved.”