United Kingdom, UK Rail employees will go on strike for three days later this month.
This will result in the entire shutdown of Britain’s railway network, in what it described as the largest industrial action in the rail sector in more than 30 years.
More than 50,000 workers are expected to strike on June 21, 23, and 25 in protest of pay freezes and job losses. This is according to the UK Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers union.
Read Also: World Bank Predicts Fallout From Ukrainian War As Nigeria’s Poverty Index Risks Further Plunge
This was disclosed on Tuesday, June 7, by RMT general secretary Mick Lynch.
London Underground workers are also set to strike on June 21; as part of a separate dispute over pensions and job losses, according to the report.
Commuters in the capital were severely disrupted by a 24-hour walkout on Monday.
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 failed to take their concerns seriously.
Our union will now embark on a sustained campaign of industrial action which will shut down the railway system.
Dwindling Passenger Numbers
The UK Rail Delivery Group represents companies operating train services. It urged the RMT to call off the strikes.
According to the group, the industry was suffering from passenger numbers at around only 75% of pre-coronavirus pandemic levels.
UK Rail Delivery Group Chair Steve Montgomery, in his statement, said;
No one wins in the event of a strike. Staff lose pay; the industry loses vital revenue making it harder to afford pay increases; and passengers and businesses are disrupted.
While we will keep as many services running as possible, sadly if this action goes ahead, significant disruption will be inevitable.
Grant Shapps, the transport minister, said the government was working with the train industry to minimise the impact of any walkouts. He accused the union of rushing the gun when negotiations were just getting started.
Due to a dearth of employees to fill jobs and as inflation approaches 10%, British companies have boosted pay more swiftly in several areas, causing a significant cost-of-living squeeze.
