Train passengers face weeks of disruption over Christmas and into the New Year. Rail union chief Mick Lynch has been urged by ministers not to “hold the country to ransom” with strikes ahead of Christmas as he blamed the Government for failing to avert the action.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) general secretary said on Tuesday the unions have a duty to take coordinated action in response to a “generalised attack on working people”.
He confirmed there will be greater disruption on the rails on Christmas Eve because of a walkout from 6pm until 6am on December 27 following two 48-hour strikes next week.
Talks with the Rail Delivery Group over the long-running dispute on pay, jobs and conditions will still take place on Tuesday.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner accused the “militant” Government of presiding over a “complete shambles” on the railways as she backed the workers’ right to strike.
But Government minister Nick Gibb argued the RMT’s “very disappointing decision” came after they were offered a “very good pay deal” of 8% over two years.
“So I think the unions really should call off this strike. It’s inconveniencing people up and down the country in the run up to Christmas, I think it’s a very poor way of conducting negotiations,” he told GB News.
“We would urge the unions to talk to employers, to keep negotiating and not to hold the country to ransom, particularly in December as we get nearer to Christmas.”
Strikes are set to hit 14 train companies next week as the RMT has recommended its members should reject the latest offer from Network Rail. Transport Secretary Mark Harper has said it is “incredibly disappointing” that strikes are going ahead despite a “new and improved deal offering job security and a fair pay rise”.
Businesses were also concerned about the disruption during the typically highly-profitable period as both customers and staff struggle to make it in for the third year in a row, after the damage of the coronavirus pandemic. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UKHospitality industry body, said the action will be “hugely damaging”, adding: “We’re continuing to urge all parties involved in the negotiations to reach a solution imminently to avoid these harmful strikes.”
What is the dispute about?
Trade unions representing railway workers at Network Rail and train operating companies have been engaged in a long running row over jobs, pay and conditions.
Which workers are going on strike in the coming weeks?
Thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).
When are the strikes happening?
There are two 48-hour strikes planned for before Christmas, and two in the New Year.
The affected dates in December are Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14, and Friday 16 and Saturday 17.
The affected dates in January are Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4, and Friday 6 and Saturday 7.
Is that it?
No. On Monday night, the RMT announced further strike action at Network Rail from 6pm on Christmas Eve until 6am on December 27.
What impact will the strikes have on services?
Strike day timetables have not been announced, but passengers are being warned to expect a “very limited service” with “no trains at all on some routes”.
Services are also likely to start late and end early.
How will the additional strike dates affect maintenance work?
The Christmas period is key for Network Rail to carry out maintenance work so the new strike dates are a major blow for the infrastructure management company.
What services are normally scheduled over the festive period?
Services normally wind down earlier than normal on Christmas Eve, with no trains on Christmas Day and a very limited timetable on Boxing Day.
December 27 is usually a bumper day for rail travel with many people returning home from visiting loved ones.
What about the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA)?
The TSSA has called off its Network Rail strikes planned for December and is putting an offer to its members.
