Over 50,000 rail workers to walk out as rail union RMT launch 3 days of national strike action

Wednesday, 8 June 2022 13:37

By Victoria Smith

Later this month, RMT will be launching a 3-day national strike action, which will be the biggest dispute on the network since 1989.

On the 21st June, 50,000 workers will walk out, and on 23rd and 25th June, up to a further 40,000 workers will walk out. This includes Network Rail and 13 train operating companies.

The union will shut down the country's railway network on 21st, 23rd and 25th June, due to the inability of the rail employers to come to a negotiated settlement with RMT.

National Rail responded with: “We continue to meet with our trades unions to discuss their pay concerns and we’re doing everything we can to avoid strike action on the railway.

“We know that the cost of living has increased, and we want to give our people a pay rise, but the RMT must recognise we are a public body, and any pay increase has to be affordable for taxpayers and passengers.

“There are a few weeks until the first strike is planned. We will use this time to keep talking to our unions and, through compromise and common sense on both sides, we hope to find a solution and avoid the damage that strike action would cause all involved.”

Northern Rail say they are ‘working hard’ to understand what these strikes will mean for their network, and the website will be updated as soon as this is known.

In a separate dispute over pensions and job losses, London Underground RMT members will take strike action on June 21st.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "Railway workers have been treated appallingly and despite our best efforts in negotiations, the rail industry with the support of the government has failed to take their concerns seriously.

"We have a cost-of-living crisis, and it is unacceptable for railway workers to either lose their jobs or face another year of a pay freeze when inflation is at 11.1pc and rising.

"Our union will now embark on a sustained campaign of industrial action which will shut down the railway system.
Rail companies are making at least £500m a year in profits, whilst fat cat rail bosses have been paid millions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This unfairness is fuelling our members anger and their determination to win a fair settlement.”