Rail passengers face more disruption to train travel this week. Three consecutive days of 18th, 19th and 20th August were affected by strikes on the rail network, two affecting services across the UK and one mainly affecting the transport network in London. give.
But why are there strikes and what are unions, railway companies and the government saying about this mess?
August 18th and 20th: Who will go on strike?
The most significant industrial action involved approximately 40,000 members of theNational Railway, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT),Network Rail. I work at. 14 railway companies including Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, GTR (including Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and Gatwick Express), GWR, LNER, Northern, Southeastern and South Western Railways.
Workers comprise a wide range of employees, from cleaners and station workers to signalmen and security guards. They took part in his first nationwide rail strike in 30 years on June 21, 23 and 25, and after failing to reach an agreement with his employer at work,August 18 and I plan to join the strike again on the 20th. security, salaries and working conditions.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: They need to get serious about addressing the cost of living crisis, securing employment for members and offering salary offers that help provide good conditions at work.
"A recent offer from Network Rail was significantly underpaid and underserved in terms of maintenance work. While there is room for negotiation, we will continue our campaign until a negotiated settlement is reached."
Additional strikes were staged by 2,500 members (mainly rail traffic controllers) of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA)starting at 02:01 on Thursday, August 18. Exit at 01:59. On Friday 19th August and from 02:01 on Saturday 20th August to 01:59 on Sunday 21st August, RMT's widespread strikes added to the chaos.
The TSSA union stated: There is no adequate assurance from the company of job security or that the proposed changes will not adversely affect members.
When will they attack?
First let him deal with the RMT strike – as he in England has the widest impact of all three countries. (Northern Ireland is unaffected, as is the Isle of Wight.)
Their first attack will hit train travelers on Thursday, 18 August. A strike will affect some services late the night before each strike date and early the next morning.
The second occurred on Saturday, August 20th, and service was again affected the night before and the morning after. Many train companies have opted for shortened services, with trains only running from 7am to 6pm, some services running hourly, and others not running at all. or close certain branches of the network.
What would be the impact of an RMT strike?
The network will not be completely shut down. However, most trains are suspended in England, Wales and Scotland.
In infrastructure provider Network His Rails, the most important role in day-to-day rail operations is the out-going signalman. About a fifth of the country's rail services were running due to the June strike, causing many delays and disruptions.
Train operators are now bidding to run some services, as they did on previous strike days. All circuits in service have strict limits on the amount of traffic that a switched traffic light can handle.
Which trains can run?
Each rail operator publishes its strike date details separately. Either drastically shorten the timetable or cancel all services altogether. Some operators, such as GWR, have published details of branches and entire stations that will be closed due to the strike.
CrossCountry, East Midlands, LNER, and Southern are among the rail companies that maintain reduced schedules. Meanwhile, services such as Gatwick Express will be suspended all day on 18th and 20th August.
All Caledonian sleeper train services will be canceled from Wednesday 17th August to Friday 19th August, regardless of the strike. London's Elizabeth Line service will also be reduced on 18th and 20th August.
Are other days affected?
Yes. RMT industrial action has been adjusted to affect services just before and after the strike date especially late trains on 17th August and 19th August and early trains on 21st August. .
This week's RMT move is designed to cause the greatest disruption to leisure travel, especially vacationers heading to the coast and the countryside, or returning home.
Some rail operators involved in the strikes on Thursday and Saturday are taking advantage of the opportunity to reduce operations on the 19th August non-strike day and the days in between.
August 19: Who's Striking?
This Friday's strike will see members of his RMT union, who work for the London Underground, out of his 24 hours, causing chaos on 19 August and in the evening and morning.
RMT's members will be joined by more than 1,000 he TfL and London Underground (LU) workers leaving the union on the same day. Ground crew employed by Arriva Rail London will stage another strike on the same day.
Which parts of London's transport network will be closed?
Much of London's transport network (underground and overground) could cease to function. A subway strike in June 2022 displaced about 10,000 workers, reduced services running every 15 to 20 minutes, and completely or partially stopped many lines. Night Tube does not run all night on Fridays.
The Unite strike is expected to further disrupt London Underground, Croydon Tramlink, Victoria Coach Station, Dial Allied and river services on Friday.
Some buses in West and North West London, Hertfordshire and Surrey affected. According to TfL, the strike will affect the following routes: 18, 33, 49, 65, 70, 71, 72, 85, 94, 105, 110, 116, 117, 148, 203, 211, 216, 220 , 223, 224, 235, 258, 265, 266, 272, 281, 283, 290, 293, 371, 404, 406, 411, 418, 419, 423, 440, 465, 467, 470, 481, C1, E1 , E3, H17, H22, H32, H37, H91, H98, K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, N9, N18, N33, N65, N72, N266, S3.
What is a strike?
Each union has its own set of problems with their companies, but TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortés roughly sums up their demands:
The money flying around in the rail industry and the government's impediment to reconciliation between Network Rail and rail operators.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said:
"They need to get serious about addressing the cost of living crisis, securing employment for their members and offering salary offers that help provide good conditions at work.
``A recent proposal from Network Rail was significantly lacking in salaries and safety in maintenance work.
"[Secretary of Transportation] Grant Shaps has given up hope of a job as Prime Minister. He is now back to his day job." , we can help sort this mess out."
Transportation Secretary Grant Shaps said:
"Our railways are in dire need of modernization to increase passenger convenience and to be financially sustainable in the long term.
" I urge union bosses to reconsider this divisive behavior and instead agree to a new path by doing what employers deserve instead of working against them.
“The industry is already on life support, and by insisting on working against employers rather than with them, RMTs risk unplugging completely.
Regarding the tube strike, RMT Union said: LUL and TfL management consistently participate in discussions regarding preserving employment, pensions and conditions on the pretext that they cannot provide guarantees to members until a financial settlement with the government is reached. and refused.
TfL Chief Operating Officer Andy Lord said: It is recommended to avoid traveling on the metro on August 19th, travel to other networks only if necessary, and check before traveling on August 18-21. If your customers are traveling, you should plan ahead and expect disruptions across your network. Walking or biking may be the best ways to get around during this activity.
"We are asking his RMT and Unite to call off these strikes.My message to them is that it is never too late to work with us, Arriva Rail London and RATP, to find solutions and avoid major disruptions. This action causes.
There are other attacks on the horizon.
No dates for further rail industry activity beyond 20 August have been announced and at least two weeks' notice of any strike should be given.
Further Athleph votes on industrial action close at Avanti West Coast and Cross Country on Wednesday 27 July. and at Northern Trains. Transpennine Express; Welsh Transport on Thursday 25 August.