Further rail and Tube strikes on the horizon

Three days of national strikes have been planned across all rail and London Underground lines later this month, writes James Twomey.

The RMT Union announced this week that more than 50,000 workers will walk out nationally on June 21, 23 and 25 over “multi-year pay freezes and plans to cut thousands of jobs which will make the railways unsafe”.

In a separate issue, London Underground workers will walk out over “pensions and job losses” on June 21.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Railway workers have been treated appallingly and, despite our best efforts in negotiations, the rail industry, with the support of the Government, has failed to take their concerns seriously.

“We have a cost-of-living crisis, and it is unacceptable for railway workers to either lose their jobs or face another year of a pay freeze when inflation is at 11.1 per cent and rising.

“Rail companies are making at least £500m a year in profits, whilst fat cat rail bosses have been paid millions during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Andrew Haines, Network Rail’s chief executive, said: “We know that the cost of living has increased and we want to give our people a pay rise, but the RMT must recognise we are a public body and any pay increase has to be affordable for taxpayers and passengers.”