The 'biggest rail strike in modern history' will take place this week, with more than 50,000 railway workers set to walk out across three days.
A majority of the country will be affected as the Rail and Maritime Workers Union announced its plan to " shut down the country's railway network " with national walk-outs on Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25 June. Network Rail and 13 train firms will take part in the industrial action.
The RM T is holding the strike action in opposition to what it says are plans by Network Rail to cut up to 2,500 jobs as part of a £2bn reduction in spending. The proposed job cuts include workers who maintain tracks, signals and overhead lines.
READ MORE: Rail strikes: How this week's walk-outs will impact Merseyside
However, the strikes will cause travel mayhem as millions who rely on trains to get around will likely have to make alternative arrangements. Disruption can also be expected on June 22 and 24, when there are no strikes planned, as trains will not be in the correct positions due to the action taken on the days before.
Trains will start later and finish much earlier than usual, between 7.30am and 6.30pm, but passengers have been told to only travel if necessary and plan ahead. Even operators not taking part in the strikes will be affected - that’s because staff like signallers and station managers are part of Network Rail and will be involved in the walkout.
What rights do I have with my employer if I'm unable to make it back in time for work?
According to ITV, if an employee cannot get to work or is going to arrive late because of bad weather or transport problems, employment advisory body ACAS advises that they should tell their employer as soon as possible.
Gary Wedderburn, senior advisor at ACAS said: "Employees don’t have a legal right to be paid for working time they’ve missed due to travel disruption. It is a good idea for employers and employees to discuss and agree how any missing time will be treated."
For example, taking extra days as holiday, unpaid leave or paid special leave. He added: “Different workplaces will have different policies, so it is always a good idea to check at the earliest opportunity.”
Can passengers claim compensation?
It’s best to check with specific operators and services to see if they are running an emergency timetable. This is important as you can only claim compensation during a rail strike for a delay based on the replacement or emergency timetable for train or replacement bus services, according to consumer group, Which?
Even then, you could only be eligible for compensation once you’ve boarded an alternative service and it’s delayed. But the length of the delay you have to endure before you get offered a payout can vary from company to company.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said season ticket holders would be paid “full compensation on strike days” next week, and he had “moved to help make that an automatic process”.
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