ANI
22 Jun 2022, 01:25 GMT+10
London [UK], June 22 (ANI/Xinhua): After last-ditch talks between unions and rail operators broke down here on Monday, the United Kingdom's (UK) National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) gave the go-ahead on Tuesday to the country's biggest rail strikes in 30 years that are expected to cause massive disruptions to rail services in England, Scotland and Wales.
Only about 20 percent of passenger trains were scheduled to run after staff walked off the job at 12 midnight on Tuesday. The walkouts will continue on Thursday and Saturday this week, affecting millions of passengers.
More than 40,000 RMT union members, including guards, catering staff, signalers and track maintenance workers take part in the labor action.
The RMT is in a dispute with the rail operators over pay, pensions and job cuts. People across the UK are struggling with rising living costs and seeing their salaries eaten up by inflation. In April, UK inflation soared to 9 percent, and the Bank of England projected a figure exceeding 10 percent for the end of this year.
Meanwhile, UK rail companies are set to cut jobs, pay and pensions as rail passenger numbers have not returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
"The British worker needs a pay rise," RMT Secretary General Mick Lynch said. "They need job security, decent conditions and a square deal in general. If we can get that we won't have to have the disruption in the British economy that we've got now and which may develop across the summer."Andrew Haines, chief executive of UK operator Network Rail, said he was "profoundly sorry" to passengers for the disruption but blamed the RMT for not willing to compromise.
The Conservatives-led UK government said it was up to the unions and employers to negotiate pay and conditions, while the opposition Labour Party and the unions believed Transport Secretary Grant Shapps should be involved in the talks.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged "the union barons to sit down with Network Rail and the train companies" to negotiate a deal.
A separate strike also took place on the London Underground on Tuesday. There are warnings this could be just the start of a summer of strikes, with teachers and nurses also threatening industrial action out of similar grievances.
National Highways, which operates and maintains strategic road networks, advised on Tuesday that the country's motorways and major A-roads are expected to be busier than usual in the coming days. (ANI/Xinhua)Get a daily dose of Northern Ireland News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Northern Ireland News.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rose appreciably Friday following the release of a strong jobs report which sent the U.S. dollar higher,...
WASHINGTON, D.C. America's job market is starting to lose momentum. In April, job openings rose — but so did layoffs, marking their...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Digital Business Ireland (DBI) has asked the Government to do more to help Ireland's digital and tech sector. This...
TOKYO, Japan: Toyota has announced that it will take one of its key group suppliers, Toyota Industries, private in a deal worth UD$26...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks fell Thursday after the feud between U.S. President Donald Trump and his biggest backer Elon Musk...
SYDNEY, Australia: Australia's independent wage-setting body, the Fair Work Commission (FWC), has announced a 3.5 percent increase...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The United Nations General Assembly has elected five countries to join the Security Council starting January...
SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's new president, liberal Lee Jae-myung, took office on June 4 after a dramatic and chaotic few months....
LONDON, UK: As of this month, it's officially illegal to buy disposable vapes anywhere in the United Kingdom. The new ban, aimed...
SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's upcoming presidential election has turned into a messy battle full of personal insults and scandals...
FLIN FLON, Manitoba: More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been forced to leave their homes because of wildfires,...
NEWBURYPORT, Massachusetts: Aboard a burning fishing boat more than 100 miles offshore, Robbie Roberge knew precisely what to do. He...