Related: Mick Lynch says Tory government is ‘corrupting business’ amid rail strike action
Rail passengers will face fresh travel disruption from today as tens of thousands of workers take strike action in the ongoing dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail and 14 train operators will stage two 48-hour walkouts from Tuesday and Friday, while drivers in the Aslef union will strike on Thursday.
Picket lines will again be mounted outside railway stations across the country in a repeat of what became a familiar sight last year.
Passengers, including those returning to work after the festive break, are being warned to expect “significant disruption” as only a limited number of trains will run.
The advice is to only travel if absolutely necessary, allow extra time and check when first and last trains will depart.
While the dispute does not involve ScotRail staff but will have a major impact on the train operator’s ability to provide services as many of the Network Rail workers walking out occupy safety-critical roles.
Inflation-matching pay increases for all public sector would lead to worsening debt, says transport department
A Department for Transport spokesperson said “inflation-matching pay increases for all public sector workers would cost everyone more in the long term”.
“Passengers have rightly had enough of rail strikes and want the disruption to end,” the spokesperson said.
Travellers wait for Euston station to open on 27 December 2022 in London, England
(Getty Images)
“The government has demonstrated it is being reasonable and stands ready to facilitate a resolution to rail disputes. It’s time the unions came to the table and played their part as well.
“Inflation-matching pay increases for all public sector workers would cost everyone more in the long term – worsening debt, fuelling inflation, and costing every household an extra £1,000.
“Unions should step back from this strike action so we can start 2023 by ending this damaging dispute.”
Namita Singh3 January 2023 05:10
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