Some people had started talking about a colossal “Streikherbst” after it was announced that railway workers would go on strike again in September. But things changed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with many unions postponing their strikes until October.
Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, said: “RMT joins the nation in paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth. The planned rail strike action on September 15th and 17th is suspended. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country.”
The train drivers’ union ASLEF has also postponed its planned September 15 strike and postponed it until next month. A spokesman said: “We send our deepest condolences to her family, her friends and the country.”
With new rail strikes looming in the near future, here’s everything you need to know.
When are the next rail strikes?
The RMT has now confirmed that its Network Rail members and 14 railway companies will go on strike October 1effectively bringing the rail network to a standstill.
The affected companies are:
• c2c
• Avanti West Coast
• Chiltern Railway
• Cross Country
• East Midlands Railway
• Greater Anglia
• Govia Thameslink Railway (including Gatwick Express)
• Great Western Railway
• LNER
• North
• southeast
• Südwestbahn
• TransPennine Express
• West Midlands trains
ASLEF union members are expected to opt out as well October 1st and 5th. It will affect key intercity routes between London and the Midlands, the North, Scotland and Wales, as well as commuter services in the South East, Midlands and North and overground London.
Train drivers will go on strike at 12 companies:
• Avanti West Coast
• Chiltern Railway
• Cross Country
• Greater Anglia
• Great Western Railway
• Hull pulls
• LNER
• London Uplands
• North trains
• Southeast
• TransPennine Express
• West Midlands trains
Why are workers on strike?
Different unions go on strike for different reasons, but the overriding reason is the lack of wage increases.
Railway workers from the ASLEF union are on strike after suffering a real wage cut from union leaders over the past three years due to inflation and rising cost of living Criticism of Network Rail’s ‘poor’ salary offers.
Meanwhile, the RMT went on strike in response to an ongoing dispute over working conditions, job security and pay. Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the RMT said: “Network Rail’s recent proposals have fallen far short of expectations when it comes to pay and safety during maintenance. And the EVU didn’t even make us a salary offer in the last negotiations.”
The TSSA said it had received no assurances about job safety and labor practices, while mMembers of the Unite union, which manages and controls the rail network’s power supply, said they had not received a pay rise in three years.
When will the rail strikes end?
It is still too early to say when the rail strikes will end. So far, no further industrial action has been confirmed after September, but the situation is evolving. Whether or not there will be further strikes in 2022 depends on whether unions and rail operators come to an agreement.
Can I get a refund if my train is cancelled?
According to National Rail, if your train is canceled, delayed or rescheduled because of the industrial action, you will:
• You are entitled to a change or refund from the original retailer of your ticket
• Use your ticket on another train company or alternative route, if available
