Last-minute talks to avert largest rail strike in decades which may ruin concerts, cricket and Glastonbury June 8, 2022 In a bid to avert the largest strike by railway workers in several decades talks are to be held this week, after the scale of disruption to services by the planned industrial action became clear. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 13 train operators will walk out on [...]
Union announces three-day rail strike at end of June June 7, 2022 The RMT union announced that its anticipated rail strike will take place over three days at the end of the month. Tens of thousands of railway workers will walk out on 21, 23 and 25 June following failed negotiations with Network Rail and 13 other operators. The union announced that London Underground workers will strike [...]
Union yet to set date for railway strike as talks continue May 31, 2022 The RMT union has yet to set a date for the announced railway strike as discussions are still ongoing. “Since the ballot results on 24th May, discussions have been taking place at industry-wide level under the auspices of the Rail Industry Recovery Group (RIRG) to create a framework and structure for negotiations on all issues [...]
British Transport Police first UK force to arm volunteers with tasers May 27, 2022 The British Transport Police has become the first police force in the UK to arm its volunteer police personnel with tasers. From today, 22 British Transport Police volunteer officers will be carrying a taser while on duty after they received a three-day course on how to use the weapon. The move was announced last week [...]
DfT urges union to go back to negotiating table following “disappointing” rail strike ballot May 25, 2022 The Department for Transport (DfT) has urged the RMT union to go back to the negotiating table after a strike was announced last night following a 34-day ballot. “Strikes should always be the last resort, not the first, so it is hugely disappointing and premature that the RMT is calling for industrial action before even [...]
Fresh strikes to hit millions of commuters as railway workers vote in favour of industrial action May 25, 2022 Commuters will need to brace themselves for a new wave of strikes after members of the RMT union working in the railway industry have decided in favour of nation-wide industrial action. The RMT announced the ballot’s results, adding that 71 per cent of workers balloted took part in the vote with an 89 per cent [...]
UK to prioritise safety critical goods if rail strikes impact the whole network May 24, 2022 The UK will prioritise safety critical goods – including food and products needed for the energy and construction industries – if the rail strikes go ahead and disrupt the wider network. The government could be forced to reduce passenger services to make way for freight, causing significant disruption to travellers. “We will have to prioritise [...]
Passengers brace for Platinum Jubilee travel chaos as rail operators warn of engineering works May 17, 2022 Passengers coming to London will need to brace for travel chaos as rail operators warn of engineering works planned during the Bank Holiday weekend. Travellers were warned to check before they travelled into the capital for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as services on several routes are expected to experience cancellations and disruption. Southern services between [...]
Rail could cost £6bn per year without government reform May 17, 2022 Maintaining the railway sector without government reform could cost up to £6bn of taxpayers’ money a year, warned a report published today. An analysis by UK think tank Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) argued that without a complete makeover, the network will fall into a decline and underinvestment scenario that could force the government to [...]
Railway industry sets up contingency plans ahead of potential RMT strike May 16, 2022 The UK railway industry has set several contingency plans ahead of a potential strike by the union RMT, which could involve up to 40,000 workers. Network Rail said it had measures in place to “better understand the disruption it may cause to passengers and freight services.” The government-owned railway operator said it was working with [...]