Train passengers face fresh disruption as rail workers strike again
Sam Corbishley
METRO UK
‘But our members remain steadfast in their industrial action and will not be cowed into submission by anyone.’
Passengers were advised to check their travel arrangements as the strike will see wide variations in services across the country, with trains starting later and finishing much earlier than usual.
In some areas only about half of train services will run, while others will have no services at all.
The affected train operators are; Avanti West Coast, c2c, Caledonian Sleeper, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express), Heathrow Express, LNER, London Northwestern Railway, Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway (including Island Line), Thameslink, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Railway.
Saturday 29 Jul 2023
A passenger at Waterloo train station in London during a strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) (Picture: PA)
Rail union boss Mick Lynch has accused the Government of preventing a settlement of the long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions which is causing fresh travel disruption on Saturday.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union walked out for the day, leading to the widespread cancellation of train services.
The union has been embroiled in the dispute for over a year, with no sign of a breakthrough. Controversial plans to close most ticket offices have worsened the dispute.
RMT general secretary Mr Lynch said the decision to close ticket offices will only save about £89 million – a ‘tiny fraction’ of the £1 billion he claims has been spent by the Government to ‘artificially keep the dispute going and prevent a settlement’.
Rail union boss Mick Lynch has accused the Government of preventing a settlement of the long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions which is causing fresh travel disruption on Saturday.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union walked out for the day, leading to the widespread cancellation of train services.
The union has been embroiled in the dispute for over a year, with no sign of a breakthrough. Controversial plans to close most ticket offices have worsened the dispute.
RMT general secretary Mr Lynch said the decision to close ticket offices will only save about £89 million – a ‘tiny fraction’ of the £1 billion he claims has been spent by the Government to ‘artificially keep the dispute going and prevent a settlement’.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch joins the picket line outside Newcastle Central station during a strike (Picture: PA)
He said: ‘The public is being ripped off not only to financially underwrite this dispute that could have been settled 18 months ago, but also to fund the closure of ticket offices which they rely on.
‘Closing 1,000 ticket offices will only save a small fraction of the money spent on rail company indemnity, to prolong the strike and the handsome profits they have made.
‘Ticket office closures are not popular with the public and we have seen mass opposition across the country.
‘Not only are ticket office closures being used as a fig leaf for the wholesale de-staffing of stations, but this is the thin end of the wedge for getting rid of staff across the railway network, something our union will oppose vigorously.
‘The elderly, vulnerable and disabled will no longer want to and in some cases be unable to use the railway because trained and friendly staff are waiting to assist them.
He said: ‘The public is being ripped off not only to financially underwrite this dispute that could have been settled 18 months ago, but also to fund the closure of ticket offices which they rely on.
‘Closing 1,000 ticket offices will only save a small fraction of the money spent on rail company indemnity, to prolong the strike and the handsome profits they have made.
‘Ticket office closures are not popular with the public and we have seen mass opposition across the country.
‘Not only are ticket office closures being used as a fig leaf for the wholesale de-staffing of stations, but this is the thin end of the wedge for getting rid of staff across the railway network, something our union will oppose vigorously.
‘The elderly, vulnerable and disabled will no longer want to and in some cases be unable to use the railway because trained and friendly staff are waiting to assist them.
Passengers at Waterloo train station during a strike (Picture: PA)
A closed ticket office at Slough Railway Station (Picture: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)
‘Our union remains wholly committed to reaching a negotiated settlement on pay, jobs, security and conditions.
‘Our union remains wholly committed to reaching a negotiated settlement on pay, jobs, security and conditions.
‘But our members remain steadfast in their industrial action and will not be cowed into submission by anyone.’
Passengers were advised to check their travel arrangements as the strike will see wide variations in services across the country, with trains starting later and finishing much earlier than usual.
In some areas only about half of train services will run, while others will have no services at all.
The affected train operators are; Avanti West Coast, c2c, Caledonian Sleeper, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express), Heathrow Express, LNER, London Northwestern Railway, Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway (including Island Line), Thameslink, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Railway.
RMT Strikes are taking place across parts of the rail network in England today in an ongoing dispute about pay and the closure of railyway station ticket offices
(Picture: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)
Picket lines will be mounted outside railway stations across England and workers said they were receiving strong support for their action from the public.
A Rail Delivery Group spokesman said the strike would disrupt the plans of families during the summer holidays.
‘This will lead to disappointment, frustration, and financial strain for tens of thousands of people.
‘We apologise for the inconvenience caused and understand the impact on individuals and businesses.
‘Our advice is to check before you travel.’
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘The Government has met the rail unions, listened to them and facilitated improved offers on pay and reform.
‘The union leaders should put these fair and reasonable offers to their members so this dispute can be resolved.’
Picket lines will be mounted outside railway stations across England and workers said they were receiving strong support for their action from the public.
A Rail Delivery Group spokesman said the strike would disrupt the plans of families during the summer holidays.
‘This will lead to disappointment, frustration, and financial strain for tens of thousands of people.
‘We apologise for the inconvenience caused and understand the impact on individuals and businesses.
‘Our advice is to check before you travel.’
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘The Government has met the rail unions, listened to them and facilitated improved offers on pay and reform.
‘The union leaders should put these fair and reasonable offers to their members so this dispute can be resolved.’
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