More than 40,000 rail workers to go on strike next week, RMT union announces
More than 40,000 workers at Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will go on strike next Wednesday after no breakthrough was made in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced.
RMT members will walk out on Wednesday July 27, crippling rail services across the country.
The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has also announced a strike by its members at Avanti West Coast on the same day.
It comes after the UK endured the biggest rail strikes since 1989 in June, with fears the walkouts could spread across the public sector, triggering a "summer of discontent" as workers demand better pay amid soaring inflation.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Strike action will take place next Wednesday as planned and our members are more determined than ever to secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions.
“Network Rail have not made any improvement on their previous pay offer and the train companies have not offered us anything new.
“In fact Network Rail have upped the ante, threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50% cuts to maintenance work if we did not withdraw our planned strike action.
“The train operating companies have put driver-only operations on the table along with ransacking our members’ terms and conditions.
“RMT will continue to negotiate in good faith but we will not be bullied or cajoled by anyone.
“The government need to stop their interference in this dispute so the rail employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us.
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Transport for London (TfL) said while the industrial action does not involve its staff, varying degrees of disruption are expected on the District and Bakerloo Tube lines, London Overground, and the Elizabeth line, which all share some sections of track with Network Rail.
Andy Lord, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “The upcoming strike action will mean disruption for some of our customers, with the London Overground, Elizabeth line, and London Underground services being affected.
“I encourage customers to check before they travel as the levels of service will vary on different modes of transport and different days. Alternative travel, including buses and other Tube lines, is likely to be much busier than usual.”
Passengers should also expect some disruption on the morning of July 28 with a later start to services as signalling staff return to work.
On July 30, members of the drivers’ union Aslef at eight train operators across the country will also go on strike.