UK strikes: Train walk-outs begin as cold snap hits UK
Rail workers walk out today as a fresh round of strike action gets underway. The union members will talk out on four days this week – today and Wednesday and again on Friday and Saturday.
The industrial action – over pay and conditions – will mean a near-total shutdown of Britain’s railways, with an estimated 20 per cent expected to run.
The union members rejected a new pay offer from Network Rail yesterday, describing it as “substandard.” The union wants its members to receive a pay rise in line with the soaring prices as the cost of living bites.
Along with the strikes, the UK has been hit with snow, ice and fog adding further disruption to travel.
Network Rail is advising people to travel only if absolutely necessary and experts have advised people to only drive if conditions allow.
Why are workers striking?
The unions are at loggerheads with the government and rail companies about pay, jobs cuts and changes to terms and conditions.
Unions want the pay offer to reflect the rising cost of living. But the rail industry wants to save money after the pandemic left a hole in its finances.
Bosses say reforms need to be agreed to afford pay increases and modernise the railway.
Network Rail is planning to cut jobs as part of changes to the way its maintenance teams work. The RMT disagrees with some of the changes and wants a guarantee of no compulsory job losses.
Network rail proposed a 5% pay rise this year and a 4% pay rise in 2023. But RMT union boss Mick Lynch called the deal “substandard” and its members have rejected it.
