Get ready for the largest railway strikes in a generation. Around 40,000 railway workers will go on strike from tomorrow, assuming that last-ditch negotiations fail. Network Rail has said services will be cut to around a fifth of their usual provision in the dispute with the RMT union over pay and conditions.
The government is refusing to get involved in the negotiations between the unions and train companies. Instead the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has two strategies to minimise the impact of the strikes on the economy. First, he hopes the rise of working from home will enable many people to keep working even if they can’t get to the office. Indeed, train passenger numbers are currently at around 80 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Second, the government is looking to introduce changes this week to repeal the ban on companies using temporary workers during strikes, with the Times reporting that the plans may come into effect by mid-July.
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