The train dispute is one of several that threatens to bring about a winter of discontent. As unions want inflation-based wage increases to protect their members from the cost of living crisis.
Strikes and flood damage are projected to impede rail travel throughout the first week of 2023. It is causing more disruptions for travelers.
Members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport union at Network Rail and fourteen train operators will participate in two 48-hour strikes. Which will impact travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
The union representing railway drivers, Aslef, will also go on strike on Thursday.
The West Coast Main Line, which was damaged by flooding late last month. It will be out of service until January 6th, causing more disruptions for travelers between Carlisle and Glasgow.
According to Network Rail, an embankment beneath the railway requires “major work to stabilize. And replace the foundations of the lines” before the railway can reopen safely.
On a 40-meter stretch of the railway, engineers are removing landslide debris.
Reinforcing it with more than 200 tonnes
Tens of thousands of rail personnel will stop working due to the RMT and Aslef strikes And travelers have been warned of “severe disruption” to services.
On days of the RMT strike, almost half of the network will be closed, with only 20% of services operating.
Those that are operating will begin later and end earlier than usual. And passengers are advised to only go if necessary.
As striking workers return to work on January 8, problems will likely continue into the next day.
The strike by Aslef will impact 15 operators and result in a “substantially curtailed” schedule.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, stated: “We keep returning to the table, but it remains empty.
“Six months after requesting a pay increase for train drivers who have not received one in over four years. The train companies that employ us have yet to make an offer.
“The court is now theirs. The firms, or the Conservative government that supports them, might settle this issue immediately. By making a real and reasonable salary offer. It depends on them.”
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, stated that the government has obstructed a settlement to end the conflict. Adding that he is willing to discuss but first needs a proposal on wages, jobs, and working conditions that can be voted on by the union’s members.
A Department for Transport official said: “The government has proved its willingness to promote a resolution to rail issues and has demonstrated its reasonableness. It is time for the unions to come to the table and do their share.
“Pay rises proportionally to inflation for all public sector employees will cost everyone more in the long run, exacerbating debt, fueling inflation, and costing each household an additional £1,000.
“Unions should halt their strike action so that we can begin 2023 by resolving this harmful disagreement,”
The train dispute is one of several that threatens to bring about a winter of discontent, as unions want inflation-based wage increases to protect their members from the cost of living crisis.
In recent months, nurses, ambulance personnel, Border Patrol agents, Royal Mail staff, and highway workers have also been on strike.
