Train strikes: Disruption expected with latest rail walkouts

The latest round of national train strikes has begun, with just 20% of train journeys expected to take place on Wednesday.

Around 40,000 RMT union members at Network Rail and 14 rail companies are taking action over pay, jobs and working conditions.

The Department for Transport said the RMT was “intent on causing further misery for passengers across the UK”.

But the RMT accused Transport Secretary Grant Shapps of not allowing the rail industry to strike a deal with the union.

Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said despite efforts to achieve a breakthrough, there will be further disruption to rail services due to strikes.

Along with members of the RMT, members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) at Avanti West Coast, which operates some trains to Birmingham, are also on strike on Wednesday.

The fallout from the disruption is expected to kick in by Thursday, Network Rail said.

Irrespective of this, around 5,500 members of the train drivers’ union Aslef will go on strike at seven railway companies on Saturday.

Further RMT strikes are also planned for 18 and 20 August, with London Underground staff planning a strike on 19 August.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman had urged the RMT union to end the strikes, saying on Tuesday: “We are concerned about the impact this will have on the public going about their daily lives.”

Places like Blackpool, Portsmouth and Bournemouth have no train services at all and elsewhere people are told not to travel by train unless necessary.

Network Rail has published a special timetable for Wednesday, with trains starting later and ending earlier than usual between 07:00 and 18:30 BST.

Passengers are advised that the last trains from London depart for Edinburgh at 2pm, 3.43pm for Birmingham and 3.40pm for Manchester.

The strikes are disrupting travel to the semi-finals of the 2022 Women’s European Championship between Germany and France in Milton Keynes.

North London’s Thomas De Fraye was looking forward to hopping on the train after work and heading to the game – but now there’s no train.

He doesn’t drive and a bus wouldn’t get him there in time for kick-off.

“I booked my tickets many months ago, before there was any news about strikes,” said the 37-year-old. “I live in Enfield, so it’s not even that far, so I wanted to go after work.

“Now there are no trains and an Uber would cost me £90 one way. Surely that price would increase on the day due to demand and I have to go back too.”

Mr De Fraye gave away his ticket on Twitter. “If I can help someone else go there, it makes me happy,” he said.

“I can only apologize for the impact this senseless strike will have on passengers, particularly those traveling on holiday or attending events such as the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 semi-finals and the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony (on Thursday). said Network Rails Andrew Haines.

“It’s frustrating to once again ask our passengers to change their plans and only take necessary trips.”

Network Rail says its latest salary offer is worth more than 5% but that it is contingent on workers accepting “modernizing reforms”. However, the RMT union says this is a “paltry sum” and represents “a real pay cut”.

RMT Secretary General Mick Lynch said: “The Department for Transport controls the 14 train operators we dispute with and Network Rail is a public company that has yet to have final approval on any deal. That is up to the Foreign Minister for Transport.

“We will continue to speak to employers but there remains a huge divide between us over pay, job security and working conditions.”

A spokesman for the Department of Transport said: “RMT’s actions will affect people in dire need of care, hard-working families staying on long-awaited vacations and day trips, and businesses.”

Watford student Blessing-Nicole Yanda was scheduled to take the train to Birmingham City University to give a presentation as part of her digital marketing degree.

Now she doesn’t go there anymore and has put her on the list of classes missed because of the first round of strikes in June.

“The university said that although I can present online, I can’t do anything about my attendance list,” she said.

Miss Yanda, 19, is on a crash course throughout the summer but has had to leave her student accommodation as it is being used for the Commonwealth Games. She moved back to Watford as she also gives concerts in London to earn money while studying.

“I rely heavily on the train as all my performances are in London. It’s only an hour between Birmingham and London, so I can travel between the two.

“It’s so expensive to get on the train even with a student rail pass. I easily spend £100 a week in a week, it’s a joke.

“Railway workers get so much money and it affects the lives of other people who can’t come to work because of the strikes.”

It’s already been an unhappy summer on the track.

This is the fourth day of national RMT strikes in 5 weeks.

Barring a significant breakthrough in talks, more will follow over the next month.

At the moment, it’s hard to imagine that breakthrough coming anytime soon – although all sides say they want to keep talking.

Negotiations between RMT and Network Rail appeared to have made headway before a stalemate ensued.

There hasn’t even been a wage offer from rail companies, who say reforms need to be agreed first.

Other transport unions also have industrial disputes on their calendar.

Many people are now able to work from home, meaning strikes aren’t hitting commuters like they used to.

But especially in the summer holidays, many people are disturbed in their leisure plans – or forced to drive at a time when fuel prices are still high.

There are other implications too, including fears by some rail freight companies that customers will be discouraged from getting goods from road to rail.

Rail companies and the government also argue that strikes could drive people off the railroad forever and deprive it of more revenue

How will the rail strikes affect your travel? What alternative means of transport do you use? Share your experiences via email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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