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Train journeys are expected to start later on Tuesday

By Nagasunder in UK Business News, posted December 27, 2022

Following the most recent round of rail workers' strikes, train services are anticipated to begin later on Tuesday, December 27.

At 6:00 GMT on December 27, RMT union members who work for Network Rail will conclude their strike.

However, this means that many trains won't start running until between 9:30 and noon.

Although 70 percent of scheduled trains will be running, Network Rail has recommended customers confirm their travel plans with train operators.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Staff are returning to work so it is a much later start-up for passenger services,"

"Passengers should really check before they travel so they don't just turn up at a station for no trains to be there."

While warning that there might be some disruptions throughout the day, ScotRail stated that it will begin to resume some services at around 7:15.

"Routes across the country will see services start-up later than normal due to signal boxes opening at different times following industrial action," it said.

Thousands of RMT members have been striking for salary and working conditions at 14 train companies, including Network Rail, which runs and maintains the rail system.

It occurs at the same time as broader labour unrest affecting a number of industries, including nurses, ambulance drivers, and Border Force employees at six of the largest airports in the UK.

At a time when the pace of price increases, or inflation, is running at a 40-year high, workers are striking over pay.

On January 3 and 4, as well as on January 6 and 7, rail strikes will resume.

An overtime embargo imposed by RMT members at 14 train companies is currently in effect and is set to last until 2 January.

Tuesday will see a 70 percent operation of regular trains, with a goal of reaching 90 percent in the coming days, according to Network Rail.

However, it anticipates that if the upcoming round of strikes starts in early January, this will fall to 20 percent of regular services.

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Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said: "The union remains available for talks to resolve this dispute.

"But until the government gives the rail industry a mandate to come to a negotiated settlement on job security, pay and condition of work, our industrial campaign will continue into the new year, if necessary."

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "The only way we're going to resolve any industrial dispute is by negotiation and by talking so of course, we'll look to sit round the table.

"It is just unclear at the moment where we can go as all the cards we have to deal with are already on the table."

Source: BBC

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