Thousands of rail workers to stage fresh strikes over pay, jobs and conditions
The RMT union said 20,000 of its members across 14 train operators would walk out on August 26 and September 2.
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Your support makes all the difference.Members of the biggest rail workers union are to stage fresh strikes in the long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said 20,000 of its members in 14 train operators would walk out on August 26 and September 2.
The union said it had been left with “little choice” but to take further action as it had seen no improved or revised offer from the Rail Delivery Group.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The mood among our members remains solid and determined in our national dispute over pay, job security and working conditions.
“We have had to call further strike action as we have received no improved or revised offer from the Rail Delivery Group.
“The reason for this is the Government has not allowed them a fresh mandate on which discussions could be held.
“Our members and our union will continue fighting until we can reach a negotiated and just settlement.”
The repercussion of this impasse affects our staff, customers and the communities across the country that rely on the railway
The 14 train operating companies affected by the new strikes are: Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Northern Trains, South Eastern, South Western Railway, Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains and GTR (including Gatwick Express).
A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: “With further strike action the RMT are once again targeting customers looking to enjoy various sporting events, festivals and the end of the summer holidays, disrupting their plans and forcing more cars on to the road.
“We have now made three offers, the latest of which would have given staff pay rises of up to 13% as well as job security guarantees, and the RMT executive have blocked this without a convincing explanation.
“We remain open to talks and we have said repeatedly that we want to give our people a pay rise, but until the union leadership and executive is united in what it wants and engages in good faith with the 30% shortfall in revenue the industry is continuing to grapple with post-Covid, it is difficult to move forward.
Union bosses are opting to prolong this dispute by blocking their members from having a vote on these offers
“Unfortunately, the repercussion of this impasse affects our staff, customers and the communities across the country that rely on the railway.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The RMT leadership’s decision to call more strikes and cynically target the travelling public over the bank holiday weekend is disappointing.
“The Government has facilitated fair and reasonable pay offers. However, union bosses are opting to prolong this dispute by blocking their members from having a vote on these offers. We continue to urge that members are given their say and disruption is brought to an end.”
Adam Tyndall, programme director for transport at business group BusinessLDN, said: “The latest round of industrial action risks an abrupt end to the busy summer season for many businesses, Londoners and visitors.
“These strikes will be particularly disheartening for the hospitality and retail industries as they will be hoping to get as many customers as possible in the door before the holidays come to an end.
“Londoners and businesses urgently want all those involved to get around the negotiating table and reach an agreement so they can make the most of the holiday period.”