With next week’s anticipated railway strike looming, emergency plans have been released to minimize the impact on the network. The strike, which will take place on June 21, 23, and 25 and involve over 40,000 RMT union rail workers, is expected to cause significant disruptions nationwide.
From the revised timetables, it is evident that little effort is being made to maintain normal operations. On strike days, services will only be available between 7.30am and 6.30pm. Some regions, such as Cornwall and South Wales, will have no passenger services at all. The disruptions will extend beyond strike days, affecting commuter lines and major events like Glastonbury and the Headingley Test match. This will have a knock-on effect on schools, hospitals, and the already struggling hospitality sector due to the pandemic.
The RMT is in dispute with employers over pay, pensions, and changes to working practices. The employers claim to have made reasonable offers that were rejected by the union bosses. However, the union’s underlying reason for the strikes appears to be more political. They aim to hinder the modernization of the railway system as part of the Great British Railways project, which seeks to address costs and improve efficiency following the substantial revenue losses caused by the pandemic. Although no specific proposals have been put forward yet, the RMT perceives this overhaul as a threat to employment opportunities.
The political nature of the strike was evident during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons. Boris Johnson challenged Sir Keir Starmer to disassociate himself from what he referred to as “Labour’s rail strikes.” While the Opposition leader expressed reluctance for the strikes to proceed, he accused the government of enabling them to exploit divisions. Labour MPs criticized the government for refusing to engage with the unions and employers.
However, this argument is mere sophistry. Sir Keir and his MPs could urge the RMT, a union affiliated with the Labour Party, to call off the strikes and engage in discussions, but they have refrained from doing so and have not condemned the strike action. This will be noted by the public. In response, the government could take further action, such as honoring the 2019 election manifesto commitment to legislate for minimum train services during industrial action. With a substantial majority of 80, the government has the power to enact emergency laws promptly. Additionally, steps should be taken to prevent strikers from compensating for their losses through overtime. It is time to adopt a strong stance towards the RMT.
With next week’s anticipated railway strike looming, emergency plans have been released to minimize the impact on the network. The strike, which will take place on June 21, 23, and 25 and involve over 40,000 RMT union rail workers, is expected to cause significant disruptions nationwide.
From the revised timetables, it is evident that little effort is being made to maintain normal operations. On strike days, services will only be available between 7.30am and 6.30pm. Some regions, such as Cornwall and South Wales, will have no passenger services at all. The disruptions will extend beyond strike days, affecting commuter lines and major events like Glastonbury and the Headingley Test match. This will have a knock-on effect on schools, hospitals, and the already struggling hospitality sector due to the pandemic.
The RMT is in dispute with employers over pay, pensions, and changes to working practices. The employers claim to have made reasonable offers that were rejected by the union bosses. However, the union’s underlying reason for the strikes appears to be more political. They aim to hinder the modernization of the railway system as part of the Great British Railways project, which seeks to address costs and improve efficiency following the substantial revenue losses caused by the pandemic. Although no specific proposals have been put forward yet, the RMT perceives this overhaul as a threat to employment opportunities.
The political nature of the strike was evident during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons. Boris Johnson challenged Sir Keir Starmer to disassociate himself from what he referred to as “Labour’s rail strikes.” While the Opposition leader expressed reluctance for the strikes to proceed, he accused the government of enabling them to exploit divisions. Labour MPs criticized the government for refusing to engage with the unions and employers.
However, this argument is mere sophistry. Sir Keir and his MPs could urge the RMT, a union affiliated with the Labour Party, to call off the strikes and engage in discussions, but they have refrained from doing so and have not condemned the strike action. This will be noted by the public. In response, the government could take further action, such as honoring the 2019 election manifesto commitment to legislate for minimum train services during industrial action. With a substantial majority of 80, the government has the power to enact emergency laws promptly. Additionally, steps should be taken to prevent strikers from compensating for their losses through overtime. It is time to adopt a strong stance towards the RMT.