Train strike today LIVE – UK plunged into MORE travel chaos as 2nd walkout sees majority of rail services CANCELLED

More railway workers to be balloted for strikes (2/2)

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Our members at TransPennine Express are seeking basic fair treatment in the teeth of a crippling cost-of-living crisis.

“Rail workers were hailed as heroes in the pandemic and now they deserve a real-terms pay rise which keeps pace with inflation, rather than shouldering the burden of the Tories’ economic meltdown.

“Our demands are simple – pay which reflects the times we live in, a deal which delivers job security, and no race to the bottom on terms and conditions.

“It’s time the Government changed course. Instead of making cuts across our railway, the Department for Transport should either give TransPennine and other companies the signal to make us a reasonable offer, or ministers should come to the negotiating table and speak to us directly.

“The alternative is a fast-approaching summer of discontent across our rail network. Make no mistake, we are preparing for all options, including co-ordinated strike action which would bring trains to a halt.”

The announcement was made as rail services were crippled for the second time this week after tens of thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union went on strike.

More railway workers to be balloted for strikes (1/2)

More railway workers are to vote on strikes, threatening fresh disruption in the industry throughout the summer, it was announced on Thursday.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) served notice to ballot dozens of members at TransPennine Express (TPE) for strike action and action short of a strike in a dispute over pay, conditions and job security.

The union is demanding a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies for 2022, no unagreed changes to terms and conditions, and a pay increase which reflects the rising cost of living.

The ballot opens on June 29 and closes in mid-July, so the earliest that industrial action could be taken is July 27.

The TSSA is also balloting its members in Network Rail, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, Northern, LNER, C2C and Great Western Railway (GWR) in an escalating dispute across the railway.

TPE runs trains across northern England and Scotland.

Crowds of holidaymakers fret about missing flights due to strikes

]Crowds of holidaymakers fretted about missing their flights as train delays left them stuck at London’s Liverpool Street station.

The Stansted Express normally leaves twice an hour from Britain’s third-busiest station, but strike action has reduced this down to one.

One man, who was returning to Sofia in Bulgaria after three days in London, complained in broken English that the experience was “stressful”.

Asked how much longer he expected to wait, the man – who had been stranded at the station for half an hour – said: “I don’t know, I’m just looking at the board, I hope not too long.

“I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating because I’m here on holidays, but it’s a bit stressful”.

Just one in five trains running today

Just one in five trains are running, and they are mostly restricted to main lines, with around half of the network closed.

Services started later than normal at 7.30am and will shut down early at 6.30pm.

Members of the drivers’ union Aslef on Greater Anglia are also striking on Thursday in a separate dispute over pay.

The company is advising passengers to travel only if necessary.

Unions warn of more action unless deal can be reached

Unions formed picket lines around rail stations for the second day this week and warned of more industrial action unless a deal can be reached to improve pay and avoid redundancies.

“We’ll continue to talk to the companies about everything that’s been put on the table and we’ll review that and see if and when there needs to be a new phase of industrial action,” Mick Lynch, secretary-general of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), told the BBC.

“But if we don’t get a settlement, it’s extremely likely that there will be.”

National Highways say less traffic on roads than expected

Frank Bird, from National Highways, said contingency planning for the strikes had started last week, with extra highways traffic patrols and control room staff brought on shift.

Estimates of traffic levels had been assessed as “somewhere between a normal Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with a Bank Holiday weekend”.

“But we have been really surprised and pleased – (the public) have in significant numbers decided not to use our network,” he said.

“Overall, we’re really pleased less traffic is on the road than was expected and planned for.”

Searches for ‘Join Union’ explode 187% amid rail strike

Searches for join union explode 184% as rail strike continues Analysis of Google search data reveals that searches forjoin union exploded 184%in the United Kingdom as of 22nd June 2022 – thehighest level in over a year. The end of June sees members of the RMT union go on strike over the course of the week, over job cuts, working conditions, pensions and pay.

The analysis, by recruitment expertsWorkelloreveals that searches for ‘join union exploded to almost triple the average volume within the past week, an unprecedented increase in Brits looking to sign up to a trade union, according to Google search data analysis. The data also reveals that searches for how to strike have exploded 135% since the strikes began.

A spokesperson from Workello commented on the findings: This week the British public have been faced with trains up and down the country coming to a standstill as a result of these strikes by RMT, leading to difficulties getting to work, attending events and appointments.

However, the strikes have also encouraged a surge of online interest in joining a trade union, indicating the massive impact that strikers are having across the country.With more strikes across other sectors rumoured to take place in the future, it will be interesting to see whether these searches continue to rise, especially if strikers achieve their desired outcome.

Network Rail ‘disappointed’ with RMT over failed talks

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We are disappointed that the RMT have again chosen to walk away from negotiations without agreeing a deal. We remain available for talks – day or night – and will do everything we can to avoid further disruption for our passengers.

“As a result of this needless and premature strike, rail services will look much like they did on Tuesday – starting later in the morning and finishing much earlier in the evening (around 6.30pm).

“We are asking passengers to please check before you travel, be conscious of when your last available train is departing, and only travel by train if necessary.”

RMT head accuses Grant Shapps of ‘wrecking’ negotiations

The RMT has accused Transport Secretary Grant Shapps of “wrecking” negotiations.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Grant Shapps has wrecked these negotiations by not allowing Network Rail to withdraw their letter threatening redundancy for 2,900 of our members.

“Until the Government unshackle Network Rail and the train operating companies, it is not going to be possible for a negotiated settlement to be agreed.

“We will continue with our industrial campaign until we get a negotiated settlement that delivers job security and a pay rise for our members that deals with the escalating cost-of-living crisis.”

Mr Shapps hit back, saying the RMT claim was a “lie

Labour condemns Government plans as ‘a recipe for disaster’

The Government announced plans to change the law to enable businesses to supply skilled agency workers to plug staffing gaps during industrial action.

Ministers pointed out that, under current trade union laws, employment businesses are restricted from supplying temporary agency workers to cover for strikers, saying it can have a “disproportionate impact”.

The Government said the legislation will repeal the “burdensome” legal restrictions, giving companies affected by strike action the freedom to tap into the services of employment businesses which can provide skilled, temporary agency staff at short notice.

Network Rail welcomed the move but Labour and unions condemned it as a “recipe for disaster”.

More rail chaos as second strike of the week begins

Train services are being disrupted across Britain as thousands of railway workers stage their second strike of the week.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 13 train operators walked out after talks failed to resolve a bitter row over pay, jobs and conditions.

Just one in five trains will run on Thursday, and lines will only be open between 7.30am and 6.30pm, meaning services will start later and finish earlier than usual.

Trains will mostly be restricted to main lines, with around half of the network closed.

How much do train drivers earn?

Train drivers earn more than nurses and care workers.

During a Parliamentary debate, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The median salary for a train driver is £59,000.”

This is significantly more than what nurses earn on average, £31,000 and care workers at £21,000.

However, it is not just train drivers striking, there are around 40,000 workers striking across all departments this week.

What are the rail strikers asking for?

With the rail strike going ahead this week, plunging much of the UK’s transport services into chaos, the RMT Union has outlined what exactly it hopes to achieve.

In a statement, the union said: “We want a transport system that operates for the benefit of the people, for the needs of society and our environment – not for private profit.”

In practice their demands would see rail workers get a seven per cent pay increase, to rise with inflation.

The average salary of a train driver is £54,000 per year – a seven per cent rise on that would see them raking in £57,780.

Moreover, the union believes many workers were wrongfully let go during Covid, so they are asking for stronger job security.

Labour frontbenchers joined the picket line

It is likely those who joined will be disciplined for their actions.

Leader Keir Starmer told Labour party members not to join the RMT picket line.

However three front benchers defied his wishes and joined in solidarity with the workers on Tuesday morning.

It is likely they may hit backlash for their actions by the Labour party.

That will be £1,500 please

As strikes ravage the UK transport system, some cabbies have been met with some outlandish request.

One Scottish cab driver was asked how much the drive from Glasgow to London would be.

The fee? Just the small price of £1,500.

Keir Starmer SLAMS Boris Johnson saying he ‘hasn’t lifted a finger’

Labour leader Keir Starmer has called out Prime Minister Boris Johnson for not helping amid the rail chaos.

During the PMQ’s today, Keir Starmer said Boris Johnson was too busy “blaming others” and not taking action to help.

Keir said: “If he’s genuine about preventing strikes, could the Prime Minister tell this house how many meetings he or his Transport Secretary have had with rail workers this week to actually stop the strikes?”

How much do train drivers earn?

Train drivers earn more than nurses and care workers.

During a Parliamentary debate, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The median salary for a train driver is £59,000.”

This is significantly more than what nurses earn on average, £31,000 and care workers at £21,000.

However, it is not just train drivers striking, there are around 40,000 workers striking across all departments this week.

What are the rail strikers asking for?

With the rail strike going ahead this week, plunging much of the UK’s transport services into chaos, the RMT Union has outlined what exactly it hopes to achieve.

In a statement, the union said: “We want a transport system that operates for the benefit of the people, for the needs of society and our environment – not for private profit.”

In practice their demands would see rail workers get a seven per cent pay increase, to rise with inflation.

The average salary of a train driver is £54,000 per year – a seven per cent rise on that would see them raking in £57,780.

Moreover, the union believes many workers were wrongfully let go during Covid, so they are asking for stronger job security.

Boris blasts striking workers

In a statement given this week, the PM has criticised striking rail workers.

“The unions are harming the very people they claim to be helping,” he said.

“By going ahead with these rail strikes, they are driving away commuters who ultimately support the jobs of rail workers, while also impacting businesses and communities across the country.

“Too-high demands on pay will also make it incredibly difficult to bring to an end the current challenges facing families around the world with rising costs of living.”

Talks to quit the strike continue as chief negotiator said strikes don’t help

The Network Rail chief negotiator Tim Shoveller said there is “still time” to come to an agreement.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: “It’s really important we continue to stress the fact there is no need to have a strike. It doesn’t help.”

He spoke on the major financial problems a strike brings about.

He told the BBC: “The fact there is a strike means that we lose money in the industry, as well as upsetting out passengers and causing disruption to the wider economy.”

How many workers are striking this week?

As rail workers fight for better pay, the UK has been sent into chaos.

It is thought around 40,000 National Rail staff have ditched work this week to join the picket line.

RMT invited to formal talks on July 1 to discuss working practices

Network Rail (NR) has asked the biggest rail workers’ union to attend formal consultation talks next month on introducing “modern working practices”.

A letter was handed to Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), at the end of talks on Monday evening.

Meetings were held throughout the day but failed to avert three days of strikes by RMT members which crippled train services on Tuesday and will be repeated on Thursday and Saturday.

The letter, written by Paul Rutter of NR, says: “We have always made clear to you that we needed to make material progress in these discussions and that we needed to implement meaningful changes to working practices by April 2023.

“I am still hopeful that we can agree a way forward. We cannot, however, delay any longer and with that in mind we intend to consult formally with you on the implementation of changes to a number of working practices which we believe can be changed within the existing agreements and T&Cs (terms and conditions) under which our Maintenance and Works Delivery staff are employed.

“We will also press ahead with consultation on the implementation of certain technologies in order to make the railway a safer and more efficient workplace.

“Whilst we do not believe that we need the agreement from our trade unions to make these changes, we would much prefer to implement them with your agreement and co-operation.”

Will strikes take place tomorrow?

Despite a lack of strikes today, Brits were still faced with travel chaos, as the impact of yesterday’s strikes continued to hit.

Tomorrow, you should brace for another day of strikes, as the RMT continues to battle the government.

Strikes will also take place on Saturday.

Former Tory chancellor warns that more strikes will follow if rail chaos succeeds

Ken Clarke, the former chancellor of the Tory party, has claimed if RMT’s strikes are a success, more will soon follow.

He told the BBC: “I’m afraid it cannot be allowed to look successful when it settles because as we have already heard, the rest of the public sector who are comparatively underpaid compared with railwaymen.

“On this occasion if the pay settlement is say 10, 11 per cent, then you are going to have vast amounts of the public sector induced to go in for the same militancy, the same strike action in order to demand at least the same.”

What are the rail strikers asking for?

With the rail strike going ahead this week, plunging much of the UK’s transport services into chaos, the RMT Union has outlined what exactly it hopes to achieve.

In a statement, the union said: “We want a transport system that operates for the benefit of the people, for the needs of society and our environment – not for private profit.”

In practice their demands would see rail workers get a seven per cent pay increase, to rise with inflation.

The average salary of a train driver is £54,000 per year – a seven per cent rise on that would see them raking in £57,780.

Moreover, the union believes many workers were wrongfully let go during Covid, so they are asking for stronger job security.