More travel chaos ..but still Shapps won’t even talk
Minister ignores global call to resolve the train dispute
MORE rail workers are to be balloted for strikes, adding to the threat of summer travel chaos.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association yesterday served notice to ballot members at train operator Greater Anglia over pay, conditions and job security.
Those involved include station staff and managers, conductors, driver managers, and train crew managers.
It came as over 100 global transport unions from 52 countries wrote to Grant Shapps urging him to resolve the rail dispute.
But the Transport Secretary is still refusing to step into the talks.
He called on unions to halt action but said it should be up to the employers and unions to negotiate.
TSSA members at Trans Pennine Express have also been handed a ballot option.
TSSA boss Manuel Cortes said: “Rail workers were hailed as heroes in the pandemic.
“They deserve a real-terms pay rise that keeps pace with inflation rather than shouldering the burden of the Tories’ economic meltdown.”
The escalation follows Thursday’s vote for strike action by 700 British Airways check-in staff at Heathrow in a pay dispute that risks disrupting holidaymakers’ getaway plans.
Rail passengers suffered more disruption yesterday after a spillover from Thursday’s RMT strikes. Only 60% of trains ran mainly due to signallers and control room staff not working overnight shifts. A third rail walkout is planned for today with operators saying passengers should “travel by train only if necessary”. The Department for Transport said: “It’s false to claim the Government is blocking negotiations. We urge unions and industry to agree a deal.”