Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, told that politicians have “torpedoed” wage and conditions talks between railway operating companies and striking workers.
The home secretary advised people to “consider carefully” going on vacation during the Christmas season after Border Force employees announced they would go on strike.
Suella Braverman asked travelers to reconsider traveling during the Christmas season, citing “undeniable, severe inconvenience for the tens of thousands who have vacation plans.”
I strongly urge those with international travel intentions to reconsider their arrangements because they may be affected,” she warned.
Ultimately, I am unwilling to compromise on border security – that is my top priority.
Therefore, this may hurt people’s convenience, regardless of how long they may have to wait for flights or departures.
They may experience delays in arrivals and other travel arrangements.
“In the end, border security is my number one non-negotiable priority.”
Border Force strikes will occur from the 23rd to the 26th and the 28th to the 31st of December, affecting Birmingham, Cardiff, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Manchester, and the Port of Newhaven.
Manchester Airport has issued a warning that flight disruptions and lengthy lines at immigration are inevitable.
Downing Street has advised anyone planning to fly over the holiday season to contact their airline for the most up-to-date information because “there will be disruptions.”
A spokeswoman said that they were “unaware of any intentions” to lessen border checks, stating that “public safety is of the utmost importance.”
The Border Force walkouts join a slew of strikes that will impact holiday travel, with train, bus, and road employees planning industrial action in the run-up to Christmas and during the holiday season.
Ministers ‘have torpedoed’ strike negotiations
The head of the train union has accused the government of “sabotage” in negotiations to end the interruption.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, told that politicians have “torpedoed” wage and conditions talks between railway operating companies and striking workers.
Mr. Lynch stated that after months of negotiations, rail firms had compiled a paper and a set of pay ranges that they wanted the RMT to evaluate.
“However, at the last minute, including last night around six o’clock, the government decided they would not permit the railroad firms to make that offer and instead told them to prepare for the strike,” he explained.
Mr. Lynch stated that despite the government’s assertions that it wishes to promote negotiations, it has become “quite evident that they are not willing to do so.”
“In actuality, they undermined and derailed the negotiations just as they were nearing completion,” he claimed.
He accused Transport Secretary Mark Harper of “obstructing negotiations” and pointed the finger at Business Secretary Grant Shapps and the Treasury as well.
“I meet with the most senior railway personnel and am constantly on the phone with them. They have informed me that the document is complete.
“They’ve presented it to me and my negotiators, but the government has prevented them from submitting that paper.”
Mr. Lynch stated that driver-only operation trains had been reinstated even though unions “would never accept” this.
It indicates that several rail strikes will occur on 13-14 December, 16-17 December, from 6 pm on Christmas Eve to 6 am on 27 December, 3-4 January, and 6-7 January.
The government’s approach is “reasoned and balanced.”
Teachers, nurses, and ambulance workers, among others, from the public sector, are striking over pay and working conditions, not just transport workers.
The administration has been criticized for its inability to end the strikes, with union leaders accusing ministers of stonewalling efforts for real compensation negotiations.
The education minister, Gillian Keegan, told that the strikes were “disappointing,” but that caving into the union’s demands would cost the taxpayer £28 billion and “you can’t spend your way out of inflation.”
Following warnings of airline cancellations, she stated, “we do anticipate disruptions and delays.”
However, she stated that 2,000 soldiers would be deployed to assist the Border Force, for which “we should be quite grateful.”
With only one strike-free day remaining in December – the 12th – it was suggested to the cabinet minister that, as seen in the 1970s, widespread strikes bring down administrations.
Ms. Keegan stated, “Well, certainly, that has occurred in history.”
She claimed, however, that the government was taking a “reasonable and balanced” approach by refraining from intervening in the wage negotiations, stating that the disagreements were between “unions and paymasters.”
The government is “losing control”
As the UK is plagued by a recession and the cost of living rises, unions are demanding pay raises that are either above or in line with inflation.
Pat McFadden, Labour’s shadow Treasury chief secretary, stated that the government is “failed to get a grip” on the strikes by refusing to enter the negotiations.
Even when there are no strikes, public services are not functioning correctly. I cannot think of a single public sector in this country that functions better after 12 years of Conservative rule than it did before they took power.
This is a terrible indictment of their administration.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged “strong” new legislation to reduce the impact of strike action and has not ruled out outlawing strikes in emergency services.
However, Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, told the prime minister on Wednesday that “we are industrially and financially prepared to oppose any new restrictions.”
In a letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, union leaders accused ministers of “ignoring the main issue on the table” – public sector wages – which is triggering the strikes.
“With CPI inflation above 11% and RPI inflation exceeding 14%, frontline workers face another significant salary loss in real terms,” the union leaders said, highlighting the “vast” pay cutbacks public sector employees had endured.
“Nurses, ambulance personnel, teachers, and millions of other essential employees have already had their living standards demolished by a decade of wage cutbacks and wage freezes.
“Nurses presently earn £5,000 less annually in real terms than they did in 2010, and hospitals and schools are establishing food banks for their employees. “This cannot continue”
