As thousands of rail workers started almost a month of industrial action, the politics of the strikes has fuelled some heated debate. What is the truth behind the trigger points?
“You’ve said your members are making a sacrifice … what’s wrong with putting a number on it?” – Mishal Husain, BBC Today
Mick Lynch of the RMT accused the presenter of “parroting the most rightwing stuff” for asking how much rail workers lose when on strike – a question seen by the union as attempting to shift the focus of ire over low pay, rather than showing the battle in a positive light.
With nine days of strikes so far, and seven more to come, a ballpark estimate would be just over £1,500 in gross pay, for an average full-time worker on £35,000, although the RMT’s figure of median pay is £31,000, below the Network Rail figure.
Unlike some unions, the RMT does not pay striking workers, though it has a hardship fund. And while Lynch is not withdrawing his labour, having been on the picket lines and in interviews since early morning, the union says he donates his pay to the fund on national rail strike days (although not for every strike by RMT members – a fast route to bankruptcy).
“Why do you have to target people at Christmas?” – Richard Madeley, Good Morning Britain
The latest bizarre standoff between the GMB broadcaster and Lynch saw some semantic debate about when Christmas starts – 24 December, for Lynch, or late November for “commercial Christmas”, as Madeley insisted.
The broader question about the timing is contentious. The union insists it is not attempting to stop people travelling home for Christmas and says this week’s dates were picked to coincide with Network Rail pressing on with workplace reform, rather than the festive season.
The RMT strike called for 24-27 December officially starts for shifts beginning after 6pm on Christmas Eve – and the union says it should not drastically affect passenger trains, which do not run over the next two days.
However, rail industry sources say the action will mean most services will have to wrap up entirely well before 6pm, with last long-distance trains likely to be hours earlier than normal. The Christmas Eve timetable will be published next Tuesday.
Network Rail also says its consultation on workplace reform was only rescheduled for this week after strike dates were called.
“Thousands of rail workers have rebelled against union leaders by voting in favour of a pay deal” – Daily Telegraph
The RMT put the improved Network Rail offer to a vote, but urged members to reject it. About 64% did so, with an 83% turnout in the RMT referendum this week. On the reading of transport secretary Mark Harper, that’s only just over half the total electorate. But it’s a far more decisive majority than garnered in at least one other notable referendum.
Suggestions that Lynch’s authority has diminished are perhaps mischievous. That was not the same question as whether to keep backing strikes – the ballot in late November saw more than 90% vote yes. Lynch himself is directly elected and can be dismissed by a vote should members ever wish.
Network Rail is “cutting the safety regime by 50%. If a train comes off the rails, maybe they’ll say, ‘Yes, but we did save a few million quid in the 2022 pay dispute.’ The railway will be less safe than now” – Mick Lynch, RMT
The sub-inflation pay deal – 5% for 2022, 4% in 2023 (after nothing in 2021) – is only part of the reason why the offer is unacceptable, according to the RMT, citing workplace reforms that will cut manual track inspections and move to a more risk-based approach.
The claim that safety will be compromised is vehemently denied by Network Rail, which points out that an independent safety regulator – the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) – will analyse any reforms.
In its view, “safety will actually improve both for workers and the public”, with more constant remote monitoring of infrastructure.
