Rail strike looms after ballot over jobs and pay

THE threat of a national rail strike is expected to come a step closer after a ballot of more than 40,000 railway workers closes today.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 15 train operators have been voting on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action over jobs, pay and conditions.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said he expected strong support for strikes when the ballot result is announced.

“We are asking for job security and a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies, and we will not accept imposition of detrimental pay and conditions,” he said.

Leaders of several trade unions criticised the Transport Secretary after he unveiled plans to legislate for minimum staffing requirements during rail strikes.

Grant Shapps told the Sunday Telegraph that ministers were looking at drawing up laws which would make industrial action illegal unless a certain number of staff were working.

The interview sparked anger across the trade union movement, with some officials saying it had soured the atmosphere at such a crucial moment for the railways.

If Network Rail’s signallers go on strike, there is expected to be a significant impact on services.

It is possible that services would only run for part of the day, such as from 7am to 7pm, and only on main lines.

Services could be around 20% of the normal weekday timetable.

Tim Shoveller, Network Rail regional managing director, said: “We know how important a pay increase is for our people and we want to give a pay rise. As a public body, it is important that any pay increase is one the taxpayer and passengers can afford.

“We continue to talk with our trades unions to find solutions on pay, and will do everything we can to avoid damaging industrial action which would harm the industry’s recovery from the pandemic, cost millions of pounds and undermine our ability to afford the pay increases we want to make.”

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is firmly of the view that unions should talk to the Government before causing irreparable damage to our railways. Strikes should be the last resort, not the first.”