Rail workers in the UK went on strike today, creating travel chaos for millions of people. Picket lines were set up at stations across the country as the first day of the biggest rail strike in decades caused widespread disruption. The Rail, Maritime, and Transport union (RMT) is protesting plans by operator Southern Rail to introduce driver-only trains, which the union says will lead to job losses and safety concerns.
On Tuesday, several thousand members of the RMT trade union protested over redundancy, working conditions, pay, and retirement benefits. Many are considering doing so again on Thursday and Saturday.
As a result of reduced transportation budgets, employers have made the following decisions:
- Targeting Rail Pension Scheme and TFL plan, reducing benefits, forcing employees to work longer.
- Cut thousands of jobs across the rail network.
- Cutting safety inspections on the infrastructure by 50%.
- Internal fire and re-hire to reduce current salaries and extend the working hours in a week, as well as new job duties.
- The role and responsibility of the guard are being disputed again. Massive cuts to catering services.
- Closing every ticket office in the United Kingdom.
- Pay rates are far lower than the actual inflation rates, on top of the existing pay freezes.
RMT has no option but to fight back against such a harsh agenda of job, working conditions, remuneration, and pension cuts. The union is demanding that the rail companies come back to the negotiating table and offer a fair deal for workers.
The strike has caused widespread disruption, with many trains canceled and others delayed. Southern Rail said it was running a limited service on some routes but advised passengers not to travel unless necessary.
The RMT has accused the government of “passenger safety.”The strike is expected to cause travel disruption for days and affect other parts of the UK. Some schools have closed because of the strike, and hospitals have advised patients to only travel if essential.
Minister of State for Transport Grant Shapps said the government can’t do everything, adding that it’s up to the business to talk with unions. It’s a “stunt” to try and get the government involved.
The strike is expected to cause travel disruption for days and affect other parts of the UK. Some schools have closed because of the strike, and hospitals have advised patients to only travel if essential.
This is the biggest rail strike in the UK for more than 20 years, and it looks to cause major disruption for days. For now, passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys.
The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said:
It is not yet clear how long the strike will last, but it looks set to cause major disruption for days or even weeks to come.
