Transport strike for better work conditions

22 June 2022 - Thousands of railway workers are walking out in a three-day national strike across the UK. These strikes have been caused by the National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers, or RMT, which believes proposals regarding workers compensation and occupational health and safety are unacceptable. The rail companies have proposed pay rates that are massively under the relevant rates of inflation, on top of the pay freezes due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Passengers in England, Scotland, and Wales are facing significant disruptions as a result of the largest strike in 30 years. Separate strikes by 10,000 Underground staff have also severely disrupted the metro services in the capital. 

Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the trade union, blamed the government and said that ministers do not allow employers to negotiate fair work wages freely. Furthermore, the railway staff are faced with thousands of job cuts, reduced pension, bad work terms and conditions, and a cut in their wages as inflation soars in the country. The trade union's goals are to get workers a pay hike of at least 7%. The government however, is only offering a 3% wage increase.

Talks were held to avoid the strikes, however both parties refused to negotiate. The transport secretary has rejected government involvement in the strike and negotiations, stating that only the employers and the union could reach an agreement. The prime minister, Boris Johnson, stated that planned reforms to U.K’s labour law could allow the government to make the railway business more sustainable. 

Negotiations about fair work wages and working conditions will continue this week. The strikes will affect a number of events, including the Glastonbury music festival, London concerts, and school exams. Take a look at the rights of trade unions in the U.K.