UK rail strike pits workers against the government
Wages, job security dispute strands travelers
LONDON – Tens of thousands of railway workers walked off the job in Britain on Tuesday, bringing the train network to a crawl in the country’s biggest transit strike for three decades – and a potential precursor to a summer of labor discontent.
About 40,000 cleaners, signalers, maintenance workers and station staff held a 24-hour strike, with two more planned for Thursday and Saturday. Compounding the pain for commuters, London Underground subway services were also hit by a walkout on Tuesday.
The dispute centers on pay, working conditions and job security as Britain’s railways struggle to adapt to travel and commuting habits changed by the coronavirus pandemic. With passenger numbers still not back to pre-pandemic levels but the government ending emergency support that kept the railways afloat, train companies are seeking to cut costs and staffing.
Sustained national strikes are uncommon in Britain these days, but unions have warned the country to brace for more as workers face the worst cost-of-living squeeze in more than a generation. Lawyers in England and Wales have announced they will walk out starting next week, while unions representing teachers and postal workers both plan to consult their members about possible actions.
Major railway stations were largely deserted on Tuesday, with only about 20% of passenger trains scheduled to run. Services will resume Wednesday,
but lingering disruption means only about 60% of trains are due to run.
Roads in London were more congested than usual as commuters turned to cars and taxis. But total traffic was 27% lower than last Tuesday, according to retail analysts Springboard, as many people canceled trips or worked from home if they could.
The Centre for Economics and Business Research consultancy said the three days of strikes could cost the economy at least $112 million.
With inflation currently running at 9%, the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union says it cannot accept rail firms’ latest offer of a 3% raise.
But the train companies argue they can’t offer more, given decreased passenger numbers.
Electrical engineer Harry Charles said he supported the strikers – even though his normal 10-minute train journey to London Bridge took him 90 minutes
by bus.
“Their money is not going up, and the cost of everything is rising,” he said.
While the Conservative government says it’s not involved in the talks, the union notes that it plays a major role in the heavily regulated industry, including providing subsidies long before the pandemic, and argues it could give rail companies more flexibility to offer a substantial pay increase.
All sides are keeping an eye on public frustration, especially in the event of repeated disruptions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told his Cabinet on Tuesday that the strikes were “so wrong and so unnecessary,” and said “union barons” should sit down with bosses and come to a deal.
The government says it plans to change the law so that train companies will have to provide a minimum level of service during walkouts, if necessary by hiring contract workers.