Biggest rail strike in 30 years
more than There are stations 2,500 train in the UK.
The biggest rail strikes in 30 years have been taking place across the UK, on the 21, 23, and 25 June. A strike is when people stop working to ask for better pay and working conditions. The strikes have been led by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), and more than 50,000 railway workers are taking part.
What is the RMT?
The RMT is a trade union representing people from all areas of the transport industry, and has more than 83,000 members. A trade union is a group of workers in a company or industry who work together to persuade bosses to give staff better pay and working conditions.
Why are they striking?
According to the RMT, Network Rail (the company that manages railways across the UK) has threatened to cut certain jobs, which would lead to the remaining staff having to work longer hours. The RMT also wants a pay rise of 7% for its staff, to help them with the current rise in the cost of living. Network Rail and other train operating companies discussed solutions with the RMT before the strikes began but they didn’t manage to agree.
Trade unions started during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century (when many people left the countryside to work in factories) in the US, UK and parts of Europe. They have played important roles in improving conditions for workers, who were often treated badly by their employers. Trade unions fought for lunch breaks, health and safety regulations, eight-hour work days and for workers to have two days off at weekends.
What do the strikes involve?
RMT railway workers said they would not work on
21, 23 and 25 June. On strike days, only one in five train services across the UK have been running. On 21 June, there was also a strike on London Underground.
What was the response?
Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, told Sky News that the strikes were “unnecessary”. Labour leader
Keir Starmer criticised the Government for not helping to solve the problem and stop the strikes from taking place. A man called Brian Bennett told Sky News that although he had trouble getting to work, he supported the striking workers. “They are supplying a public service. Let’s give them a pay rise and resolve the situation. The Government should step in and help.”