More rail strikes announced for 3 and 5 November, this time involving train operators | Business News
Multiple rail strikes were announced for 3 and 5 November – this time involving 14 train operators.
The Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) has announced strikes at train operators – which operate trains – on same day as other members of the union are planning to walk on other parts of the transport network.
RMT said it is also planning to strike Network Rail (the company that operates the rail network) on November 3, 5 and 7 and, in a separate controversy, will take strike action against the networks. Underground and Underground in London on November 3.
Negotiations have taken place between RMT and Rail Delivery Group, the British rail industry’s member body.
But the agency did not make an offer of pay, work and conditions, which made strike action necessary, RMT said.
According to RMT Secretary General Mick Lynch, not making the offer was “absolutely absurd”.
“Some of our members in the train companies are the lowest paid on the railroad,” Mr. Lynch said.
“This is in stark contrast to the owners of the railway company who make millions of pounds.”
Negotiations are ongoing but industrial action is scheduled to proceed.
Which rail operators are affected?
The 14 train operators include Great Western Railway, Avanti West Coast and South Western Railway.
The remaining 11 companies are: Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Northern Trains, South Eastern, Transpennine Express, West Midlands Trains and GTR (including Gatwick Express).
“We remain open to meaningful negotiations, but we are steadfast in our industry campaign to see a negotiated solution for all of our members in this dispute,” he said. Lynch added.
The latest strikes come after a summer attack action across many industries and failed negotiations between unions and corporate leaders.
A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Corporation said: “We are disappointed that RMT management has decided to take further strike action.
“With their recent call for ‘tense negotiations’, we hope they will give our employees and customers a much-needed respite from the disruption and loss of wages over the past five months. .
“Instead of causing more unnecessary long-term damage to the industry we all want to see thrive, we ask RMT to recognize the real financial challenge facing rail and work with We’re working towards a fair deal that both provides pay increases and that includes we need to make long overdue changes to improve service to our customers.”
The RMT is just one of many unions and organizations involved in industrial activity.
Also in the railway industry, Aslef (Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firefighters) and TSSA (Soldiers Association) have organized walks for thousands of members over the past months.
