TRAVEL misery is set to continue next month as more strikes have been announced as passengers will face further disruption this week.
Network Rail is currently clearing a huge backlog brought on by yesterday's crippling 24 hour strike causing more travel delays to customers.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail and 14 train companies walked out on Wednesday in a long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.
Talks are expected to resume on Thursday but there is little sign of the deadlock being broken.
And MORE strikes will be held on Saturday and next month by the RMT as well as members of the drivers' union Aslef and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association.
The Aslef union has announced another massive rail strike next month.
On August 13, nine rail groups will walk out over pay disagreements.
Train drivers at Chiltern, Northern and TransPennine Express have until 25 August to vote on further strike action.
It gets worse for commuters next month as two further days of rail strikes have already been announced by the RMT for 18 and 20 August.
Read our travel delays live blog below for the latest news & updates…
- Louis Allwood
Why are rail workers striking?
This summer has seen a slew of strikes grind Britain to a halt, but why are workers striking?
RMT workers are demanding pay increases of at least 7%, in line with inflation.
This comes as the cost of living crisis sees inflation rise across the entire country.
- Louis Allwood
BA pilots threaten strike action
More misery is on its way for Brits as British Airways pilots threaten strikes over pay.
BA pilots were considering a ballot on strike action last night after bosses rejected demands for a new pay deal.
Martin Chalk, Balpa general secretary, said: “We are in talks with British Airways and wish to persuade them that continuing deductions from our members’ pay is unwarranted.
“We should actually be talking about pay increases given the inflationary scenario.
“Unless BA is prepared to walk with us down that road then we will have to consult with members to consider our next actions.”
A British Airways spokesman said: “We remain committed to continuing talks with the union.”
- Louis Allwood
Labour MP sacked for joining strikes
After defying Keir Starmer’s orders and joining the RMT picket line, Sam Tarry, a Labour frontbencher, has been sacked.
Labour are traditionally the party of trade unions.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party will always stand up for working people fighting for better pay, terms and conditions at work.
“This isn’t about appearing on a picket line. Members of the frontbench sign up to collective responsibility. That includes media appearances being approved and speaking to agreed frontbench positions.
“As a government in waiting, any breach of collective responsibility is taken extremely seriously and for these reasons Sam Tarry has been removed from the frontbench.”
- Louis Allwood
Transport for London reviewing long-term funding settlement
Transport for London (TfL) says it is reviewing a draft proposal from the Government for a long-term funding settlement.
TfL has been operating on a series of emergency short-term funding deals since falling into financial trouble during the pandemic.
Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, said the long-term funding – if agreed – would provide much-needed certainty for those in the nation’s capital.
He said: “Since keeping London moving through the darkest periods of the pandemic we have been making the case to Government that there can be no UK recovery without a London recovery and that there can be no London recovery without a properly funded transport network.
“We are grateful for the support we have received so far, and maintain we have met every condition that has been set by Government as we have worked towards agreeing a multi-year funding settlement that would give certainty to London and to the tens of thousands of jobs across the country that are directly linked to TfL.”
- Louis Allwood
Could there be a general strike?
As travel chaos continues to ravage the UK, RMT union boss Mike lynch as warned of a general strike if issues are not resolved.
It came after Tory leadership candidate Liz Truss said she would impose strike restrictions on rail workers to keep Britain moving.
In an impassioned speech the trade unionist said: “If these proposals become law, there will be the biggest resistance mounted by the entire trade union movement, rivalling the general strike of 1926.”
He added that two-week rail staff walkouts may follow this year “if we don’t get the deal we need”.
- Louis Allwood
No trains in Cornwall yesterday
As Britains rail services are once again crippled by strike action, only 1 in 5 trains are running today.
Cornwall has seemingly been hit hard by these strikes, with Great Western Rail warning that no rail services will operate on “all lines in Cornwall”.
Services should return to normal tomorrow, however, these strikes have been known to cause delays even after they are complete.
- Louis Allwood
What to expect on Saturday
- National rail strike planned
- Most services will run as normal
- No service expected on the London Overground
- No Night Overground on Saturday 30 July or early hours of Sunday 31 July
- Minimal or no train services on many National rail routes
- Check National Rail Enquiries
Drivers at nine rail companies to strike on August 13
Aslef has announced that drivers at nine rail companies are to stage a one-day strike on Saturday August 13.
The reason for the walkout is because firms failed to make a pay offer to help members keep pace with increases in the cost of living.
Drivers are already set to strike this Saturday at seven companies and Aslef members at two more train operators voted overwhelmingly for industrial action.
More strikes planned for August
The RMT and TSSA will hold more strikes on August 18 and 20, while London Underground workers will walk out on August 19.
Strikes are also being held on Friday by BT workers and those at exam board AQA.
Royal Mail workers have voted to strike, while disputes are brewing over the pay of public sector workers including teachers and health employees.
- Louis Allwood
Disruption to train services continues
Train services will continue to be disrupted on Thursday morning following a 24-hour strike which crippled the rail network, causing travel chaos across the country.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail and 14 train companies walked out on Wednesday in a long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.
Talks are expected to resume on Thursday but there is little sign of the deadlock being broken.
Strikes will be held on Saturday and next month by the RMT as well as members of the drivers’ union Aslef and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association.
Services will be affected on Thursday morning, threatening disruption to people travelling to Birmingham for the opening of the Commonwealth Games.
- Louis Allwood
What to expect today after Wednesday’s strikes
- Most services will run as normal
- Services affected by the strike on Wednesday will operate a minimal service before 08:00 and restore a normal service by midday. These include:
- London Overground
- The Elizabeth line
- District line – Wimbledon and Richmond branches
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