Rail workers give ‘mandate’ for more UK strikes

Rail staff within the UK have voted to offer the RMT union a brand new “mandate” to carry additional strikes over the subsequent six months.

Members of the RMT union have already walked out for eight days this year in an ongoing dispute over pay, jobs and dealing situations with Community Rail and 14 prepare working firms.

The union mentioned it had achieved a “beautiful mandate for extra strike motion on the railways”, after 91.7 per cent voted in favour of having the ability to take industrial motion over the subsequent few months. The turnout for the ballot was 70.2 per cent of eligible members.

RMT normal secretary Mick Lynch mentioned the vote was “a large endorsement” of the union’s technique which concerned “negotiation the place potential and industrial motion if needed”.

The union had been attributable to maintain three 24-hour strikes earlier this month however they have been called off at the last minute to permit the RMT to enter “a interval of intensive negotiations” with prepare firms.

Sadly for travellers, the suspension of those strikes got here too late to cease additional main disruption to journeys as severely lowered timetables have been already in place.

Now prepare customers face the prospect of additional nationwide rail strikes except the RMT can lastly attain a settlement with Community Rail and the prepare operators. Though no additional strikes have been introduced but. 

Lynch added: “The Nationwide Government Committee will now have a look at these implausible outcomes and negotiations will proceed with Community Rail and the prepare working firms. 

“This union is set to proceed with this marketing campaign till the employers perceive that they want to answer our members‘ aspirations on job safety, pay and dealing situations.”

Steve Montgomery, chair of the Rail Supply Group, which represents the prepare operators, mentioned passengers can be “dismayed” by the most recent vote to proceed holding strikes.

“We recognise the energy of feeling amongst our folks and name on the RMT management to proceed to work with us to agree the very important reforms essential to each afford a good pay deal and safe a sustainable future for the railway,” he added.

„Additional counterproductive strike motion would solely heap extra distress on our prospects and struggling companies within the run-up to Christmas and proceed to undermine the viability of an business all of us wish to see thrive.”