After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, several major strikes in the United Kingdom were canceled.
Out of respect for her devotion to the country and her family, the unions representing Royal Mail postal workers and train workers have canceled imminent strike action.
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, died in Balmoral at the age of 96, after reigning for 70 years.
As a token of respect, several businesses have announced a temporary shutdown.
In response to the announcement, scheduled strikes by postal employees on September 9 and RMT rail workers on September 15 and 17 were canceled.
The Aslef union of railway drivers also postponed a strike scheduled for September 15.
The Rail Delivery Group stated that train schedules would return to normal once the strikes were canceled.
A representative for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, expressed satisfaction with the RMT’s decision to cancel next week’s strike during a period of “national sorrow.”
“The entire railway family extends its sympathies to the Royal Family,” stated the spokeswoman.
Network Rail has stated that train services would operate normally the following week following the cancellation of all planned strikes for next Thursday and Friday.
In addition, any weekend engineering projects scheduled during the “lying in state” period will be scaled back. Construction may be postponed if it prevents mourners from making the trip to London.
The RMT union plans to reschedule the strikes, but the date has not yet been determined. Like the Aslef union, it would be required to provide a two-week notice before any action.
Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the RMT, stated that his union joined “the entire nation” in paying homage to Queen Elizabeth.
He said, “We extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and the nation.”
Aslef, the union for train drivers, issued the following statement: “In light of the terrible news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, ASLEF is postponing its industrial action scheduled for September 15; we extend our sympathies to her family, friends, and the nation.”
The TSSA rail union has also canceled planned industrial action for September and stated that it will “respect the public grief time.”
On Thursday, CWU employees, who represent postal workers, were on strike. The union, however, canceled Friday’s scheduled strike after the news of the Queen’s passing.
In recent weeks, workers from a variety of industries, including BT call center employees, Openreach engineers, railway workers, and barristers, have walked out in pay conflicts as earnings continue to lag behind inflation by approximately 10%.
Following the very sad news of the Queen’s departure, and out of respect for her service to the country and her family, the union has chosen to cancel tomorrow’s planned strike action, according to CWU general secretary Dave Ward.
Selfridge’s, which received a royal warrant in 2001, said that it will remain closed on Friday before returning this weekend. The Entertainer, a toy retail company, will also be closed on Friday and has extended its “deepest condolences” to the Royal Family.
Both Betfred and William Hill have announced that they will close on Friday.
The amusement park Legoland Windsor is also closed on Friday. The amusement park stated that visitors would receive an email regarding their reservation.
