Strikes spark mixed reaction from public
MIXED reactions were given in West Lancashire as millions across the country were hit by delays and disruption on the country’s second day of rail strikes.
With just a fifth of trains and 50% of the national rail network on British mainland running on Thursday (June 23), the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) staged another strike after Tuesday’s walk out. Crunch talks between union leaders and rail bosses were said to have come to nothing, resulting in industrial action from tens of thousands of union members at Network Rail and 13 train operators.
The dispute is said to centre around pay, redundancies and proposed changes to labour practices. With union bosses last night accusing the government of blocking a deal – a claim strenuously denied by the Government – another walk out looked set to take place on Saturday, and union bosses warned further action looked ‘likely’ if an agreement was not reached.
With half of the country’s network closed, the disruption is having an impact on commuters and travellers in Lancashire.
We went to Ormskirk train station on Thursday, June 23.
The foyer was deserted and the doors to the platform were closed. A member of staff said: “It’s got to be done, hasn’t it?
“On Tuesday, we had lots of people coming in, as they didn’t seem to know, but this morning, people knew about it and it’s been quieter.”
Meanwhile, in the town centre, teacher Charlotte Taylor, 35, said: “If it means that they get more pay, I’m all for it, as I’d rather support them than not. I’m a teacher, and I don’t drive, so I rely on public transport.
“I can understand their frustrations, and if it makes the Government listen, it’s worth doing. Saying that, it is crucial that the trains start running again.”
Her friend, Justine Konti, 32, owner of Ormskirk School of Musical Excellence on Burscough Street, said: “It has affected one of my members of staff; she’s having to teach online today. But other than that it doesn’t affect me.” Meanwhile Lynn Andrews, sales assistant at Bodycare, said: “It doesn’t affect me to get to work but it does on my day off.
“On Tuesday, the giant puppet was in Liverpool, and it was my day off – but I couldn’t go because of the strike.”
But Kevin Kinney, of Lancashire Pies and Pastries, which has a stall on Ormskirk Market, told us: “It’s a question of responsibility. What responsibility is greater than a midwife like my daughter who earns about two thirds of what a train driver can be paid?
“Train drivers earn a huge amount already. Let’s start with the NHS who steered us through the pandemic.”
Yet Alan Lamont, owner of The Happy Card Company, said takings had been slightly down. However, he thought it could be due to the hot weather rather than the rail strikes.
He said: “I’ve gone from the Jubilee when I had my best day ever to this which has been my quietest so far. It’s all been walkers and gawpers and no one’s buying.
“But the strikes on Saturday will affect us, I’d say, five to 10%. I think pay has been so low, for so long. II’s a massive issue.”
His sentiments were echoed by Louis Bowyer, of the Bed Linen Stall on the market, who said he’s seen a ‘slight difference’ in footfall. He said: “It doesn’t affect me personally, but we have seen a slight difference in footfall today, possibly because it’s hot.”
A shopper named Gwyneth said: “I think the strikes are a bit premature, to be honest. There are lots of other people in worse situations, and business closures, and things like that.”
Yet one student at Edge Hill University told us: “To be honest, if that’s what they need to do, then that’s what they need to do. I’m all for it.”
On strike days those who are unable to avoid travel are urged to commute between 7.30am and 6.30pm while lines are open.
National Rail advises using the online planner if you need to travel. Some services may still be running, but whether you can travel or not depends on where you’re going and when.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said earlier this week: “Strikes should always be the last resort, not the first, so it is hugely disappointing and premature that the RMT is going ahead with industrial action.
“The Government committed £16bn – or £600 per household – to keep our railways running throughout the pandemic while ensuring not a single worker lost their job.
“The railway is still on life support, with passenger numbers 25% down and anything that drives away even more of them risks killing services and jobs.
“Train travel for millions more people is now a choice, not a necessity. Strikes stop our customers choosing rail and they might never return.”