The RMT union says Transport Secretary Grant Shapps ought to “get in the (negotiation) room or get out the way” following a second day of walkouts this week by tens of 1000’s of rail employees, as a row over pay, jobs and circumstances continued.
Passenger numbers plunged to lower than 20% of regular utilization on Thursday, with solely round one in 5 trains working, and half the community closed.
Major railway stations, together with Edinburgh Waverley, London Euston, London Paddington and Liverpool Lime Street, have been far quieter than common, with many individuals opting to do business from home as an alternative.
How the day unfolded – see newest updates
Disruption is ready to proceed for the remainder of the week, as solely 60% of trains will run on Friday, and one other strike is deliberate for Saturday.
Further talks between Railway, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and Network Rail aimed toward ending the dispute have been held on Thursday however no decision was reached.
Downing Street has known as for the economic motion to be known as off “as quickly as possible” and stated it was a “question for the unions” whether or not to go forward with Saturday’s motion.
But the RMT accused Mr Shapps of “wrecking” negotiations by not permitting Network Rail to withdraw their letter “threatening redundancy for 2,900 of our members”.
Read extra:
RMT warns rail strikes might ‘escalate’ if deal not struck
Around 40,000 RMT members at Network Rail and 13 prepare operators walked out once more on Thursday.
The RMT is looking for a pay rise of no less than 7% for its members, whereas employers have supplied a most of three%.
Speaking after the most recent day of motion, Mick Lynch, the RMT’s common secretary, stated: “Our members are leading the way in standing up for all working people trying to get a pay rise and some job security.
“In a contemporary financial system, staff have to be correctly rewarded for his or her work, get pleasure from good circumstances and have the peace of thoughts that their job is not going to be taken away from them.
“Grant Shapps needs to get in the room or get out of the way so we can negotiate with these companies who we have successfully struck dozens of deals with previously.
“What we can’t settle for is 1000’s of railway staff being thrown on the scrapheap after being praised as heroes throughout COVID.
“RMT will continue its industrial campaign until a negotiated settlement is reached.”
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In response, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, stated: “This is a total lie from the RMT and its General Secretary. I have had absolutely nothing to do with either the issuing of a letter from Network Rail, the employer, to the RMT – or any request to withdraw it.
“I perceive that the letter makes no point out of two,900 redundancies, however I do understand it confirmed Network Rail could be introducing desperately wanted reforms for the trade after the union selected strike motion as an alternative of additional talks.
“The RMT continues to deflect from the fact that the only people responsible for the massive public disruption this week is them.
“I wish to urge Mick Lynch and his members to cease losing time making false claims within the media and as an alternative return to the negotiating desk so an settlement might be reached.”
Read more:
Here’s what you need to know about disruptions
British Airways workers at Heathrow vote to strike during school summer holidays
Location technology firm TomTom said the level of road congestion in London at 9am was 83%, compared with 75% at the same time last week.
But traffic levels declined or only saw a slight increase in several other cities, such as Glasgow (down from 40% to 36%), Liverpool (down from 49% to 47%), Manchester (up from 64% to 66%) and Newcastle (up from 49% to 50%).
The figures reflect the proportion of extra time needed for journeys compared with free-flow conditions.
Broadband provider Virgin Media O2 noted a 10% uptick in network usage compared to the previous day, while some photos showed trains running with very few passengers on board.
Even those travelling to the Glastonbury festival found themselves in quiet carriages, despite only a handful of trains stopping at Castle Cary.
Traffic flows on motorways and major A roads on Thursday morning were “remarkably good”, according to National Highways senior network planner Frank Bird.
He said: “Two years on (from the COVID pandemic) we have realized to work in numerous methods, persons are working from dwelling, so it is a very totally different image.
“People are still able to carry on working even though the rail dispute is ongoing.”
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier branded the strikes a “terrible idea”, saying: “This is a government that is investing more in railways than any previous government in the last 50 years.”
As nicely as RMT employees, Aslef-affiliated drivers for Greater Anglia additionally walked out on Thursday in a separate dispute over pay and circumstances.
Elsewhere, British Airways employees at Heathrow have voted to strike over summer season, bringing additional disruption to the UK’s transport community.
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