Rail Strikes: Everything You Need To Know

The RMT union has cancelled rail strikes planned for this week but there is still going to be reduced services throughout the upcoming days.

Rail stirkes

Rail strikes were planned for the 5th, 7th and 9th November but were called off shortly on the Friday beforehand. However, rail operators have announced that their services are still facing disruption due to the need to make more staff available throughout stations across the country.

Credit: Holly Kintuka

Operators, such as Greater Anglia and Hull Trains, have said that they will be running full services after the cancellation of the strikes, whereas Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains and TransPennine Express are offering limited services.

Railway companies are urging anyone travelling to keep checking for updates according to each train line.

In a separate dispute, rail works at London Underground, and London Overground will go ahead with a strike on the 10th of November.

Rhianna Gordon-Harvey, a commuter from London says: “It’s very frustrating as I commute from London to Coventry for uni, it’s effecting my education because it’s my only from of transport to get me to my lectures.”

Why are RMT workers on strike?

The unions are in dispute with rail companies and the government about pay and job cuts.

Manday Kintuka, a railway worker at Greater Anglia says: “Since COVID there has been talks of an increase in pay, but that hasn’t happened which is why workers have been striking.”

Now with the rising costs of living, unions are saying that salaries should match this.

Mr Kintuka adds: “There has been talks to try and sort out an agreement with trade unions which is why strikes have been cancelled and we are currently waiting for an update. We want to work; however, we also need our pays to increase as life is getting harder.”

Network Rail plans to cut 2,500 jobs, in an attempt to save £2bn over the next two years. They say that all redundancies could be voluntary.

Negations and “unconditional talks” are being discussed between RMT union and Network Rail, however Mick Lynch, said: “Our re-ballot remains live and if we have to take strike action during the next six months to secure a deal, we will.”