Over 40,000 railway workers strike in UK

The railways will again grind to a halt on July 27 as workers in the UK strike over pay, job security and working conditions, Report informs referring to The Guardian.

The latest talks to avert the action failed last week, a month since three days of industrial action in June. The strikes involve more than 40,000 workers at Network Rail, 14 train companies, and members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).

Transport for London services will be affected by the disruption as it uses sections of track that comes under Network Rail’s jurisdiction. There will also be a stoppage by members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), who work for the Avanti West Coast firm.

The strike comes after union leaders rejected a “paltry” offer of a 4% pay rise for the remainder of 2022 from Network Rail, and a possible 4% next year if workers accepted changes in working conditions.

The latest railway strikes come as wider industrial action is considered across the public sector as workers demand pay rises amid the soaring cost of living.

Last week thousands of Royal Mail workers voted to strike in August. Barristers in England and Wales staged a five-day strike earlier this month, and about 40,000 RMT members, including Network Rail signalers and train crew, will strike for two further days on August 18 and 20.