Commuters face journey distress in newest rail strike motion
Rail strikes are set to proceed at the moment (Friday, June 2) and tomorrow, bringing distress to commuters, in addition to pop and sports activities followers.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) employed by prepare operators throughout England stroll out this morning of their long-running dispute over jobs, pay and situations.
Train firms are warning companies will likely be affected by the motion, nearly a yr after the RMT held its first strike in the identical dispute.
RMT General secretary Mick Lynch paid tribute to his union’s rank and file, saying they had been decided to proceed defending their situations in addition to demanding an honest pay rise.
Mr Lynch, who continued to accuse authorities ministers of stopping rail firms from making a suitable supply, will once more be part of picket strains mounted outdoors stations throughout the nation.
READ MORE: Government has squandered £5bn in ‘futile war’ on strikes, says rail union
Members of the drivers’ union Aslef walked out on Wednesday and can strike once more tomorrow of their dispute over pay.
Mick Whelan, basic secretary of Aslef, stated there was “no waning in enthusiasm” from prepare drivers to proceed taking industrial motion.
“We are determined to get a resolution and remain in this for the long haul,” he said.
“It is time for the Government to step back from interference which is preventing a deal – drivers, in line with other workers, deserve a pay rise after four years without one and inflation running, over the last 12 months, north of 10%.”
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said it is expected around half of the network will shut down today with around 50% of normal services running.
On Saturday, around 40 per cent of trains will be running but there will be wide regional variations with some operators running no services at all.
The industrial action will affect football fans travelling to London for the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
Fans wishing to travel to the game by train from Manchester were advised not to attempt to do so on the day.
Industrial action tomorrow will also affect more than 100,000 people travelling to the annual Epsom Derby as well as fans travelling to Beyonce’s Renaissance world tour concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and cricket fans travelling to watch the England v Ireland Test match at Lord’s.
An RDG spokesman said: “The strikes called by the Aslef and RMT leadership will not only affect our passengers’ daily commute, but will also impact those travelling from to the FA Cup final and other events across the country, causing disappointment and frustration for tens of thousands of people.
“It will also inconvenience families who have been looking forward and have planned their half-term holidays. It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.
“We can only apologise for this unnecessary and damaging disruption. While we are doing all we can to keep trains running, unfortunately there will be reduced train services so our advice is to check before you travel.
“Passengers with advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.”
The unions say they haven’t been given a pay supply they will advocate to their members, and assist for industrial motion stays sturdy amongst staff in addition to the general public.
A Department for Transport spokesman stated: “These strikes have been co-ordinated by union leaders to disrupt passengers in a week which will see major events such as the first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final, the Epsom Derby and a number of concerts and festivals across the UK.
“The Government has facilitated a fair and reasonable pay offer, now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members.”