UK
Transport workers in London to launch 24-hour strike as part of pay disputes
ALAN JONES,
ALAN JONES,
PA INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT
2 August 2022,
Transport workers on London Underground and the Overground network will take 24-hour strike action in separate disputes later this month, the biggest rail workers’ union confirmed on Tuesday.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out on August 19, in between strikes on August 18 and 20 on Network Rail and 14 train operators in the long-running row over pay, jobs and conditions.
Tube workers have been locked in a dispute over pensions and jobs for more than six months while Overground workers employed by Arriva Rail London will strike over pay.
The union gave Transport for London until Tuesday to give assurances that there would be no job losses, no detrimental changes to pensions and no changes or imposition of working conditions.
RMT members on Arriva Rail London have rejected a 5% pay offer.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This strike action by our members on LU and the Overground is yet another demonstration of how transport workers refuse to accept a raw deal.
“TfL have had ample opportunity to be transparent about the funding they will receive and to give tube workers the assurances they need.
“Yet they have totally failed to give those guarantees.
“And Arriva Rail London, a company swimming in money, refuses to give our members a pay rise that will deal with the escalating cost of living crisis.
“There will be significant disruption on August 19 but TfL and Arriva Rail London bear responsibility for this break down in industrial relations.”
Transport workers on London Underground and the Overground network will take 24-hour strike action in separate disputes later this month, the biggest rail workers’ union confirmed on Tuesday.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out on August 19, in between strikes on August 18 and 20 on Network Rail and 14 train operators in the long-running row over pay, jobs and conditions.
Tube workers have been locked in a dispute over pensions and jobs for more than six months while Overground workers employed by Arriva Rail London will strike over pay.
The union gave Transport for London until Tuesday to give assurances that there would be no job losses, no detrimental changes to pensions and no changes or imposition of working conditions.
RMT members on Arriva Rail London have rejected a 5% pay offer.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This strike action by our members on LU and the Overground is yet another demonstration of how transport workers refuse to accept a raw deal.
“TfL have had ample opportunity to be transparent about the funding they will receive and to give tube workers the assurances they need.
“Yet they have totally failed to give those guarantees.
“And Arriva Rail London, a company swimming in money, refuses to give our members a pay rise that will deal with the escalating cost of living crisis.
“There will be significant disruption on August 19 but TfL and Arriva Rail London bear responsibility for this break down in industrial relations.”
We’re not going away!’: Striking BT workers threaten more walkouts and label CEO ‘food bank Phil’
BT workers focused their anger on CEO Philip Jansen, who has accepted a pay rise of 32%, as they began a second day of national strikes.
EVIE BREESE
1 Aug 2022
BT and Openreach workers across the UK have taken part in a second day of strike action calling for a “substantial” pay rise as BT Group hikes its prices and reports £1.3billion in profit.
Striking workers focused their anger on CEO Philip Jansen, who reportedly accepted a 32 per cent pay rise and now earns £3.5million a year. They dubbed him “food bank Phil” in reference to a food bank set up in a BT call centre for the company’s own staff, which was exposed by The Big Issue.
“Jansen, food bank Phil, we’re not going away!” Communication Workers Union (CWU) general secretary Dave Ward told striking workers outside the BT Tower in London, where around 50 people stood on the picket line.
“This dispute is moving on, and we’re focusing very much, Jansen, on your future. We will call for him to go… You can afford to pay our members the money they deserve.”
Openreach and BT workers have manned around 400 picket lines across the UK, the CWU has claimed, where they have asked members of the public to drop off food to hundreds of picket lines across the country.
Speaking to The Big Issue, Ward accused BT of “adding to spiralling inflation” by “blatantly profiteering on top of inflation to make sure their own earnings, those of shareholders and of the company, continue to grow beyond inflation”.
Ward confirmed the union would be prepared to take further strike action if BT fails to offer a better deal. He also emphasised the financial toll strike action had on workers, saying the CWU will “come up with other ways to pile on the pressure on BT.”
BT has put its broadband and telecoms prices up by around 13 per cent, adding £53 a year to the cost of a BT Fibre Essential deal.
Labour MP Kate Osborne joined the picket line in central London to “stand shoulder to shoulder with workers in their struggle for better pay and conditions.”
The MP for Jarrow represents workers at EE North Tyneside, where a food bank was set up for staff to use if their pay won’t stretch to the end of the month.
“This food bank is actually in the north-east, in my area,” she told The Big Issue. “It says an awful lot about the state of this country. It’s good that they’re helping (each other) but it’s disgraceful that it’s got to this.”
Osborne’s role as Shadow Northern Ireland Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) may put her in the shadow cabinet group ordered by leader Keir Starmer not to support workers on picket lines.
Ex-shadow transport minister Sam Tarry was last week sacked for doing just that. Asked whether his sacking changed her support of the strikes, Osborne replied: “No, not at all. I’ll always be on the picket lines supporting workers.”
BT workers focused their anger on CEO Philip Jansen, who has accepted a pay rise of 32%, as they began a second day of national strikes.
EVIE BREESE
1 Aug 2022
BT and Openreach workers across the UK have taken part in a second day of strike action calling for a “substantial” pay rise as BT Group hikes its prices and reports £1.3billion in profit.
Striking workers focused their anger on CEO Philip Jansen, who reportedly accepted a 32 per cent pay rise and now earns £3.5million a year. They dubbed him “food bank Phil” in reference to a food bank set up in a BT call centre for the company’s own staff, which was exposed by The Big Issue.
“Jansen, food bank Phil, we’re not going away!” Communication Workers Union (CWU) general secretary Dave Ward told striking workers outside the BT Tower in London, where around 50 people stood on the picket line.
“This dispute is moving on, and we’re focusing very much, Jansen, on your future. We will call for him to go… You can afford to pay our members the money they deserve.”
Openreach and BT workers have manned around 400 picket lines across the UK, the CWU has claimed, where they have asked members of the public to drop off food to hundreds of picket lines across the country.
Speaking to The Big Issue, Ward accused BT of “adding to spiralling inflation” by “blatantly profiteering on top of inflation to make sure their own earnings, those of shareholders and of the company, continue to grow beyond inflation”.
Ward confirmed the union would be prepared to take further strike action if BT fails to offer a better deal. He also emphasised the financial toll strike action had on workers, saying the CWU will “come up with other ways to pile on the pressure on BT.”
BT has put its broadband and telecoms prices up by around 13 per cent, adding £53 a year to the cost of a BT Fibre Essential deal.
Labour MP Kate Osborne joined the picket line in central London to “stand shoulder to shoulder with workers in their struggle for better pay and conditions.”
The MP for Jarrow represents workers at EE North Tyneside, where a food bank was set up for staff to use if their pay won’t stretch to the end of the month.
“This food bank is actually in the north-east, in my area,” she told The Big Issue. “It says an awful lot about the state of this country. It’s good that they’re helping (each other) but it’s disgraceful that it’s got to this.”
Osborne’s role as Shadow Northern Ireland Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) may put her in the shadow cabinet group ordered by leader Keir Starmer not to support workers on picket lines.
Ex-shadow transport minister Sam Tarry was last week sacked for doing just that. Asked whether his sacking changed her support of the strikes, Osborne replied: “No, not at all. I’ll always be on the picket lines supporting workers.”
Engineer Joe Brennan at the picket line outside BT Tower. Image: Evie Breese
Joe Brennan, an engineer who has worked for BT for 37 years, told The Big Issue: “A lot of people (working for BT) have been struggling for a long time and really it’s got a lot worse. A lot of people, especially the younger people, will struggle to survive.
“Having working people having to go to food banks is disgusting. You can’t say you have a proper business if your people aren’t paid enough that they can have the food they need to eat.”
The CWU rejected the £1,500 flat rate pay rise imposed by BT on its employees in April, saying it amounted to a real terms pay cut when viewed alongside inflation.
That rise came after the minimum wage went up on April 1, meaning that for workers on the lowest pay, a pay rise was necessary to prevent wages slipping below the legal hourly rate.
BT has called the flat rate pay rise “the highest pay award in more than 20 years”.
A BT Group spokesperson said: “We have confirmed to the CWU that we won’t be re-opening the 2022 pay review, having already made the best award we could.
“We’re balancing the complex and competing demands of our stakeholders and that includes making once-in-a-generation investments to upgrade the country’s broadband and mobile networks, vital for the UK economy and for BT Group’s future – including our people.
“While we respect the choice of our colleagues who are CWU members to strike, we will work to minimise any disruption and keep our customers and the country connected. We have tried and tested processes for large scale colleague absences to minimise any disruption for our customers and these were proved during the pandemic.”
Joe Brennan, an engineer who has worked for BT for 37 years, told The Big Issue: “A lot of people (working for BT) have been struggling for a long time and really it’s got a lot worse. A lot of people, especially the younger people, will struggle to survive.
“Having working people having to go to food banks is disgusting. You can’t say you have a proper business if your people aren’t paid enough that they can have the food they need to eat.”
The CWU rejected the £1,500 flat rate pay rise imposed by BT on its employees in April, saying it amounted to a real terms pay cut when viewed alongside inflation.
That rise came after the minimum wage went up on April 1, meaning that for workers on the lowest pay, a pay rise was necessary to prevent wages slipping below the legal hourly rate.
BT has called the flat rate pay rise “the highest pay award in more than 20 years”.
A BT Group spokesperson said: “We have confirmed to the CWU that we won’t be re-opening the 2022 pay review, having already made the best award we could.
“We’re balancing the complex and competing demands of our stakeholders and that includes making once-in-a-generation investments to upgrade the country’s broadband and mobile networks, vital for the UK economy and for BT Group’s future – including our people.
“While we respect the choice of our colleagues who are CWU members to strike, we will work to minimise any disruption and keep our customers and the country connected. We have tried and tested processes for large scale colleague absences to minimise any disruption for our customers and these were proved during the pandemic.”
Hitachi Rail workers launch three-day strike
A Hitachi Javelin train passes over the Medway railway bridge near Rochester in Kent.
STRIKES by Hitachi Rail workers will continue until they are offered a “just pay settlement,” transport union RMT has warned.
A three-day walkout by its members at the rail company is set to end tomorrow, but the union warned that passengers could face more disruption unless improvements are made to wages and working conditions.
Workers are seeking an agreement on breaks, leave entitlement, shift length and pay in line with Hitachi workers in Doncaster and the firm’s North Pole maintenance section.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members know the value of their work and will not be short-changed by Hitachi Rail.
“Private rail operators need to stop trying to play workers off against one another.
“I congratulate our members on this strong industrial response, and RMT will support further stoppages until they receive a just settlement.”
A company spokesperson said it was disappointed by the industrial action but pledged to “continue to work with RMT to find a solution.
“In the meantime, we have contingency plans in place to mitigate any potential impact on passenger service.”
A Hitachi Javelin train passes over the Medway railway bridge near Rochester in Kent.
STRIKES by Hitachi Rail workers will continue until they are offered a “just pay settlement,” transport union RMT has warned.
A three-day walkout by its members at the rail company is set to end tomorrow, but the union warned that passengers could face more disruption unless improvements are made to wages and working conditions.
Workers are seeking an agreement on breaks, leave entitlement, shift length and pay in line with Hitachi workers in Doncaster and the firm’s North Pole maintenance section.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members know the value of their work and will not be short-changed by Hitachi Rail.
“Private rail operators need to stop trying to play workers off against one another.
“I congratulate our members on this strong industrial response, and RMT will support further stoppages until they receive a just settlement.”
A company spokesperson said it was disappointed by the industrial action but pledged to “continue to work with RMT to find a solution.
“In the meantime, we have contingency plans in place to mitigate any potential impact on passenger service.”
Cross-border rail travellers hit as thousands of train drivers strike
By Reporter
July 31, 2022,
By Reporter
July 31, 2022,
Members of ASLEF train driver's union forming a picket line at the entrance to Edinburgh Waverley station, as train strikes loom around the country.
Cross-border rail travellers faced huge disruption yesterday when thousands of drivers staged another one-day strike.
Members of Aslef in seven train companies, including LNER, which runs on the East Coast Main Line, walked out, crippling services across the UK.
Disruption affected football fans travelling to the opening Saturday of English leagues, and people going to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Ahead of the strike, LNER warned passengers in Scotland not to travel on Saturday because there was a reduced timetable and no trains travelled north of Edinburgh. The last LNER train to London left Edinburgh yesterday afternoon, with no evening service available.
The majority of services north of the border have returned to normal after the resolution of a dispute with ScotRail drivers, but yesterday’s strike is not the last one set to disrupt routes in Scotland. Aslef train drivers strike again on August 13, while workers at Network Rail, as well as 14 other operators, will walk out on August 18 and 20.
Yesterday, members of Aslef mounted a picket line at Edinburgh Waverley from 9am until midday, with the union saying they were receiving strong public support despite the disruption the strike was causing.
Relations between the Government and rail unions have worsened after Mick Whelan, general secretary at Aslef, accused the UK Government’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps of lying about negotiations over the strikes
Shapps had written in The Times: “The ‘Two Micks’, Lynch of the RMT and Whelan of Aslef, are taking the taxpayer for a ride, but not in the way they are meant to. RMT is stalling on reform and Aslef is dragging its feet in negotiations while both call more strikes. Enough.”
In response, Mr Whelan told Times Radio yesterday morning: “I say Mr Shapps is lying, quite simply, quite clearly.
“We’re not dragging our feet in negotiations, we negotiate with 14 private companies, we do not work for the government or the DfT (Department for Transport).”
Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We’re really disappointed that the Aslef leadership has decided to impose yet more uncertainty and disruption for passengers and businesses in a week which has already seen a strike by the RMT.”
He added: “Like any service or business, we must move with the times and cannot continue to ask taxpayers or passengers for more money when we should instead respond to the huge changes in travel behaviour post Covid.”
Meanwhile, Hitachi rail workers are to strike for three days from today. Members of the RMT whose jobs include maintenance, are in dispute over pay and issues including breaks, leave entitlement and shift length.
RMT general secretary Lynch said: “Our members know the value of their work and will not be short-changed by Hitachi Rail.”
Cross-border rail travellers faced huge disruption yesterday when thousands of drivers staged another one-day strike.
Members of Aslef in seven train companies, including LNER, which runs on the East Coast Main Line, walked out, crippling services across the UK.
Disruption affected football fans travelling to the opening Saturday of English leagues, and people going to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Ahead of the strike, LNER warned passengers in Scotland not to travel on Saturday because there was a reduced timetable and no trains travelled north of Edinburgh. The last LNER train to London left Edinburgh yesterday afternoon, with no evening service available.
The majority of services north of the border have returned to normal after the resolution of a dispute with ScotRail drivers, but yesterday’s strike is not the last one set to disrupt routes in Scotland. Aslef train drivers strike again on August 13, while workers at Network Rail, as well as 14 other operators, will walk out on August 18 and 20.
Yesterday, members of Aslef mounted a picket line at Edinburgh Waverley from 9am until midday, with the union saying they were receiving strong public support despite the disruption the strike was causing.
Relations between the Government and rail unions have worsened after Mick Whelan, general secretary at Aslef, accused the UK Government’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps of lying about negotiations over the strikes
Shapps had written in The Times: “The ‘Two Micks’, Lynch of the RMT and Whelan of Aslef, are taking the taxpayer for a ride, but not in the way they are meant to. RMT is stalling on reform and Aslef is dragging its feet in negotiations while both call more strikes. Enough.”
In response, Mr Whelan told Times Radio yesterday morning: “I say Mr Shapps is lying, quite simply, quite clearly.
“We’re not dragging our feet in negotiations, we negotiate with 14 private companies, we do not work for the government or the DfT (Department for Transport).”
Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We’re really disappointed that the Aslef leadership has decided to impose yet more uncertainty and disruption for passengers and businesses in a week which has already seen a strike by the RMT.”
He added: “Like any service or business, we must move with the times and cannot continue to ask taxpayers or passengers for more money when we should instead respond to the huge changes in travel behaviour post Covid.”
Meanwhile, Hitachi rail workers are to strike for three days from today. Members of the RMT whose jobs include maintenance, are in dispute over pay and issues including breaks, leave entitlement and shift length.
RMT general secretary Lynch said: “Our members know the value of their work and will not be short-changed by Hitachi Rail.”
Train strikes are expected to cause disruption for travellers to the Commonwealth Games
Around 5,000 train drivers are striking today, Saturday, July 30, which is expected to cause widespread disruption with the launch of the English Football League season and the Commonwealth Games.
By Jon Cooper
Saturday, 30th July 2022,
The Aslef union members and drivers from seven operators are walking out over pay during a 24-hour strike affecting train services across England including Southeastern and West Midlands Trains.
Travellers looking forward to the start of the English Football League season, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and a Lady Gaga concerted are likely to be affected.
The latest strike adds to a very difficult summer for passengers after a series of walkouts.
Around 5,000 train drivers are striking today, Saturday, July 30, which is expected to cause widespread disruption with the launch of the English Football League season and the Commonwealth Games.
By Jon Cooper
Saturday, 30th July 2022,
The Aslef union members and drivers from seven operators are walking out over pay during a 24-hour strike affecting train services across England including Southeastern and West Midlands Trains.
Travellers looking forward to the start of the English Football League season, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and a Lady Gaga concerted are likely to be affected.
The latest strike adds to a very difficult summer for passengers after a series of walkouts.
A 24-hour drivers' train strike by Aslef union members on July 30 is expected to cause disruption to those travelling to the Commonwealth Games and for the start of the English Football League season.
Affected train services include Arriva Rail London, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, and Heathrow Express.
Also no trains will be running on Southeastern while operators including Great Western Railway – which operates between England and Wales – and LNER will also have severely-reduced services.
The disruption to the London Overground and Greater Anglia will affect travel for the Lady Gaga's Chromatica Ball in Tottenham and West Midlands Trains will only operate a shuttle between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International for the Commonwealth Games.
Passengers are advised to check the latest information before they travel and to allow extra time for their journey.
More strikes are planned in August by Aslef and the RMT union in the row over pay, jobs and conditions.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has accused union leaders of being militant for bringing the country to a standstill and he has dubbed them the "aristocrats of the public sector".
Affected train services include Arriva Rail London, Greater Anglia, Great Western, Hull Trains, and Heathrow Express.
Also no trains will be running on Southeastern while operators including Great Western Railway – which operates between England and Wales – and LNER will also have severely-reduced services.
The disruption to the London Overground and Greater Anglia will affect travel for the Lady Gaga's Chromatica Ball in Tottenham and West Midlands Trains will only operate a shuttle between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International for the Commonwealth Games.
Passengers are advised to check the latest information before they travel and to allow extra time for their journey.
More strikes are planned in August by Aslef and the RMT union in the row over pay, jobs and conditions.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has accused union leaders of being militant for bringing the country to a standstill and he has dubbed them the "aristocrats of the public sector".
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