On the right track? Rail boss optimistic but blames RMT for stalled talks after rejecting pay deal January 11, 2023 The RMT recommending its members vote against Network Rail’s improved offer hasn’t helped negotiations progress, the company’s chief negotiator Tim Shoveller told MPs today. Union members walked out between 6pm on Christmas Eve and 6am on 27 December as well as throughout last week after they rejected a 9 per cent pay offer. As part [...]
Rail strikes: Huw Merriman praises ‘constructive’ meeting with unions January 9, 2023 A meeting between the biggest rail workers’ union, train operators and the government, aimed at resolving the bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions, has been described as “constructive”. Leaders of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) met employers and rail minister Huw Merriman following the latest industrial action, which crippled services last week. Merriman said: [...]
RMT accuses train operators of profiteering as rail strikes drag on January 7, 2023 Train companies at the heart of the long-running rail dispute have made hundreds of millions of pounds in profits since the government put them on new contracts when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, a union claims. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said while rail workers have had their pay frozen in the same period, [...]
RMT to resume rail strikes talks with government on Monday January 4, 2023 The RMT will resume talks over ongoing rail strikes with the government this Monday, according to union boss Mick Lynch. Lynch told GB News that government officials contacted the RMT earlier this week to “get a meeting in” early next week. The announcement comes as over 40,000 workers at Network Rail and 14 other train [...]
Rail strikes will cost industry £110m, Network Rail warns January 4, 2023 This week’s rail strikes will cost the industry around £110m, according to Network Rail calculations. A spokesperson for Network Rail told City A.M. that train operators will lose £20m for each day of RMT strikes whilst the train drivers’ walkout on Thursday will cost the industry around £30m. Rail unions RMT and Aslef are on [...]
Are you sure? Rail strikes still have public support, says union chief Mick Lynch January 3, 2023 The UK public is still supportive of rail strikes and staff walkouts, according to union boss Mick Lynch, as industrial unrest brings the country to a halt yet again. Lynch told Sky News workers were getting “massive support from people online, in person, on our picket lines.” Around 40,000 members of the union RMT working [...]
Mick Lynch: Only ‘sensible’ proposals will bring end to rail strikes January 2, 2023 Only “sensible” proposals will bring the ongoing rail dispute to an end, according to union leader Mick Lynch. After disrupting Christmas plans for millions of Britons, walkouts at Network Rail and 14 other operators will resume from tomorrow. Members of the union RMT will down tools on Tuesday, Wednesday as well as Friday and Saturday [...]
Not-so-happy New Year: Hospitality bosses expect weaker trade due to strikes December 30, 2022 Hospitality leaders say venues could see weaker trade over the key New Year period after sales were knocked by strike action. But there are signs for optimism amid more bookings and strong demand over the festive period for other areas of the sector. The Night Time Industries Association, which has more than 1,400 members including [...]
From strikes to Avanti West Coast: Here the top five things to look out for in rail next year December 28, 2022 Railway has taken centre stage in the UK public discourse as the tug of war between unions and train operators over the past six months has led to unthinkable misery to millions of people and businesses. Rail minister Huw Merriman said last month the walkouts had cost the UK economy £500m, while hospitality and retail [...]
HUNDREDS left waiting for trains after rail strike ending causes even more delays December 27, 2022 Crowds of people were left waiting at major train stations across London and beyond amid ongoing disruption despite the end of a rail strike on Tuesday. Photos showed hundreds of passengers packed inside King’s Cross and Paddington, with some journeys delayed due to the late handover of engineering works. South Western Railway also apologised to [...]