The UK is bracing for the biggest train strike in over 30 years between June 21 and 25, with industry unions demanding better pay and working conditions.
The RMT rail union also announced a new 24-hour strike in the London Underground on June 21, in addition to a one-day strike this week which largely hampered activity in the capital, and other days of strike in March.
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Asked about Sky News on Wednesday, Health Minister Sajid Javid warned of the impact of the strike for the economy after the pandemic.
These announced social movements notably risk disrupting several large-scale sporting and cultural events such as the Glastonbury music festival.
“
More than 50,000 railway workers will walk out as part of a three-day national strike later this month, during the biggest sectoral dispute since 1989
” and the major privatizations of the sector, says the RMT union in a press release released late Tuesday.
He attributes this social movement to be held on June 21, 23 and 25 to “
the inability of rail employers to reach a negotiated compromise with the RMT
”.
The government's concerns about the economic impact of the strike
RMT says rail network operator Network Rail intends to cut at least 2,500 maintenance jobs as part of a £2billion savings plan.
“
Network Rail and the rail transport companies have imposed multi-year wage freezes on their workforce and plan to cut thousands of jobs, which will affect safety on the railways
”, argues the RMT.
“
We have a cost of living crisis and it is unacceptable for railway workers to lose their jobs or face another year of wage freezes
” with rampant inflation, commented Mike Lynch, general secretary of the RMT.
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Asked about Sky News, Health Minister Sajid Javid warned of the impact of the strike for the economy after the pandemic.
“
We obviously do not agree with this decision by the unions.
If these strikes take place, it's not just bad for travellers, I think it's bad for workers because you need an industry that is sustainable
, "said Sajid Javid on Sky News.
Recalling that the sector had received public aid of 16 billion pounds during the pandemic to continue to operate, he called on all parties to dialogue to try to "
find a way out
".
