Only about one-in-five train services across Britain are expected to run later as rail workers take part in their latest walk out. More than 40,000 Rail, Maritime and Transport union members at 15 train operating companies and Network Rail are striking. The action is part of an ongoing row over jobs, pay and conditions. Services will start later and finish earlier and people are urged to avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary. Members of the TSSA union, who staff station ticket offices and work in on-board operational roles, will also strike, affecting Avanti West Coast, c2c and Transpontine Express services. About half of the rail network will be closed all day and trains will operate only between 07:30 and 18.30 BST, with services on Sunday also starting later than normal as workers return to duties. It is the third strike affecting rail services this month. The RMT, TSSA and drivers’ union Aslef took action last Saturday – affecting about 90% of services – and Aslef members walked out on Wednesday. No further national strikes are scheduled but RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has said the union will re-ballot members to see if they are in favor’s of taking further strike action. Train strikes: What are the dates and which lines are affected?
Passengers who must travel on Saturday are advised to check National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website for updates and to be aware of when their last train will depart. Network Rail’s chief negotiator Tim Shoveler said: “Despite our best efforts to compromise and find a breakthrough in talks, rail unions remain intent on continuing and coordinating their strike action.
“This means railway staff forgo even more of their pay unnecessarily, passengers’ lives are disrupted once again and the railway’s recovery from the pandemic is further damaged.” Separately, there will be further strikes on Monday in Scotland after the RMT rejected a 5% ScotRail pay offer which it described as a “kick in the teeth”. ScotRail warned of “significant disruption” to services, saying it would run “very limited” services on just three lines on the day.
