As the Brits face a total train shutdown today and into August, rail unions have announced that further strikes will be held in August.
The Aslef union announced a massive rail strike next month.
Nine rail groups will protest pay disputes on August 13.
Aslef’s general secretary Mick Whelan stated that strikes are never an option. We don’t want to inconvenience passengers – our friends and families use public transport too – and we don’t want to lose money by going on strike but we’ve been forced into this position by the companies, who say they have been driven to this by the Government.
“Many of our members who were the key workers who moved goods and people around the country during the pandemic have not received a raise in their pay since 2019.
“With inflation running at over 10%, this means that those drivers have had a real terms pay cut in the last three year.
“We want an increase in line with the cost of living – we want to be able to buy, in 2022, what we could buy in 2021.”
Network Rail’s approximately 40,000 employees have left their stations today.
Read our travel delays live blog below for the latest news & updates…
Pictures: Waterloo is empty because 4/5 of the services have been cancelled
Waterloo station in London is un uncharacteristically sparse today, as RMT strikes force Britain’s rail network to a halt.
The usual sight of the working masses travelling to and from work is nowhere to be seen, as 4/5 services are cancelled.
Services are expected to return to normal tomorrow.
Last Edinburgh train leaves London
According to Sky News, train services are already winding down for the day.
In the last hour, both the services to Edinburgh and Manchester saw their final trains leave the capital.
This comes as RMT strikes plunge Britain into travel chaos, as 40,000 workers stay at home.
What to expect on Thursday after the train strikes
- Most services will run as normal
- Services affected by the strike on Wednesday will operate a minimal service before 08:00 and restore a normal service by midday. These include:
- London Overground
- The Elizabeth line
- District line – Wimbledon and Richmond branches
Why are rail workers striking?
This summer has seen a slew of strikes grind Britain to a halt, but why are workers striking?
RMT workers are demanding pay increases of at least 7%, in line with inflation.
This comes as the cost of living crisis sees inflation rise across the entire country.
No trains in Cornwall today
As Britains rail services are once again crippled by strike action, only 1 in 5 trains are running today.
Cornwall has seemingly been hit hard by these strikes, with Great Western Rail warning that no rail services will operate on “all lines in Cornwall”.
Services should return to normal tomorrow, however, these strikes have been known to cause delays even after they are complete.
Could there be a general strike?
As travel chaos continues to ravage the UK, RMT union boss Mike lynch as warned of a general strike if issues are not resolved.
It came after Tory leadership candidate Liz Truss said she would impose strike restrictions on rail workers to keep Britain moving.
In an impassioned speech the trade unionist said: “If these proposals become law, there will be the biggest resistance mounted by the entire trade union movement, rivalling the general strike of 1926.”
He added that two-week rail staff walkouts may follow this year “if we don’t get the deal we need”.
Transport for London reviewing long-term funding settlement
Transport for London (TfL) says it is reviewing a draft proposal from the Government for a long-term funding settlement.
TfL has been operating on a series of emergency short-term funding deals since falling into financial trouble during the pandemic.
Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, said the long-term funding – if agreed – would provide much-needed certainty for those in the nation’s capital.
He said: “Since keeping London moving through the darkest periods of the pandemic we have been making the case to Government that there can be no UK recovery without a London recovery and that there can be no London recovery without a properly funded transport network.
“We are grateful for the support we have received so far, and maintain we have met every condition that has been set by Government as we have worked towards agreeing a multi-year funding settlement that would give certainty to London and to the tens of thousands of jobs across the country that are directly linked to TfL.”
Labour MP sacked for joining strikes
After defying Keir Starmer’s orders and joining the RMT picket line, Sam Tarry, a Labour frontbencher, has been sacked.
Labour are traditionally the party of trade unions.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party will always stand up for working people fighting for better pay, terms and conditions at work.
“This isn’t about appearing on a picket line. Members of the frontbench sign up to collective responsibility. That includes media appearances being approved and speaking to agreed frontbench positions.
“As a government in waiting, any breach of collective responsibility is taken extremely seriously and for these reasons Sam Tarry has been removed from the frontbench.”
BREAKING NEWS: Rail unions to strike on August 13
The Aslef union has announced another massive rail strike next month.
On August 13, nine rail groups will walk out over pay disagreements.
This is just one of dozens of rail strikes to take place this summer.
BA pilots threaten strike action
More misery is on its way for Brits as British Airways pilots threaten strikes over pay.
BA pilots were considering a ballot on strike action last night after bosses rejected demands for a new pay deal.
Martin Chalk, Balpa general secretary, said: “We are in talks with British Airways and wish to persuade them that continuing deductions from our members’ pay is unwarranted.
“We should actually be talking about pay increases given the inflationary scenario.
“Unless BA is prepared to walk with us down that road then we will have to consult with members to consider our next actions.”
A British Airways spokesman said: “We remain committed to continuing talks with the union.”
In pictures: Waterloo empty as 4/5 services are cancelled
Waterloo Station in London is unusually sparse today. RMT strikes have brought an end to Britain’s rail network.
There is no sign of the normal sight of people going to work, as 4/5 services have been cancelled.
Tomorrow is expected to be a normal day for services.
Matthew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Images Last Edinburgh train departs London
Sky News claims that train services are now ending for the day.
The final train leaving London for both services to Edinburgh and Manchester was at the hour’s end.
This is as RMT strikes plunge Britain in travel chaos. Meanwhile, 40,000 workers are staying at home.
What can you expect Thursday following a train strike?
- Normal service will be provided for most services
- The strike Wednesday will result in a reduced service for those affected and a restoration of normal service by noon. These include:
- London Overground
- The Elizabeth line
- District line – Wimbledon and Richmond branches
Could there be a general strike?
As travel chaos continues to ravage the UK, RMT union boss Mike lynch as warned of a general strike if issues are not resolved.
It came after Tory leadership candidate Liz Truss said she would impose strike restrictions on rail workers to keep Britain moving.
In an impassioned speech the trade unionist said: “If these proposals become law, there will be the biggest resistance mounted by the entire trade union movement, rivalling the general strike of 1926.”
He added that two-week rail staff walkouts may follow this year “if we don’t get the deal we need”.
Fans struggle to reach Euro 2022 women’s semi final
Tonight, Germany take on France for the chance to face England in the finals of the Women’s European championship.
But due to strikes, many will struggle to reach the match.
Swedish football fans Rebecka Ronnegard, 26, and Felix Nystrom, 27, hope to get to Milton Keynes for the Germany and France semi-final.
But Ms Ronnegard, told the BBC: “There is a train to Birmingham where we can change to go to Milton Keynes so that’s what we’re hoping to do, that was our plan. But right now I feel like if we get to Birmingham we’re lucky.”
She added: “I support the workers, I really do. It’s just unlucky that it affects us. I support the workers and I hope they can come to an agreement.”
London Underground workers to launch fresh strike
TUBE workers are launching a fresh strike next month causing travel chaos for thousands.
The London Underground staff are planning to walk out on August 19 in a row over jobs and pensions.
The RMT announced the move today just weeks after a Tube strike crippled the capital.
Employees were asked to stay home as London Underground effectively shut down.
Brit misses funeral due to strikes
Jen, from Havant, Hants, was set to attend an uncles funeral today, but was unable to due to strikes.
The 42-year-old told the PA news agency: “I would also like a pay rise in line with inflation but in reality that won’t happen. I don’t choose to mess around with people’s lives because of it.
“And it angers me when they say ‘Oh, just work from home’ or ‘Just travel on a different day’ because people don’t ‘only’ travel for trivial reasons. I won’t get this day back.”
Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak promise to ban strike action if elected
Both of the Conservative parties potential leaders have committed to banning public sector strike action if elected.
This is an effort to prevent days such as today, where Brits’ travel plans have been plunged into chaos as they are unable to use the rail.
Critics of the policy point to strike action’s achievements, such as the weekend and minimum wage.
There are no trains in Cornwall right now
Only 1 in 5 trains currently run today, as Britain’s rail services are again crippled due to strike action.
Cornwall has seemingly been hit hard by these strikes, with Great Western Rail warning that no rail services will operate on “all lines in Cornwall”.
Although services should resume normal operations tomorrow, strikes can cause delays even after the strike is over.
What can you expect to see today?
- Planned strike on national rail lines
- TfL services generally run as usual
- Some TfL services which use Network Rail track may be affected
Network Rail apologizes to the victims of ‘pointless strikes’
Andrew Haines, Network Rail’s chief executive, stated: “Despite our best efforts, there will be more disruption this week for passengers as the RMT seems determined to continue their political campaigning rather than compromise and agreeing a deal.
“I can only apologise for the impact this pointless strike will have on passengers, especially those travelling for holidays or attending events such as the Uefa Women’s Euro 2022 semi-final (on Wednesday) and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (on Thursday).”
TSSA and RMT members will launch coordinated strikes on August 18, 20 and 20, respectively, while the RMT announced that a strike would be held on the London Underground on Aug 19.
Shadow transport minster joins the picket lines
Shadow transport minister Sam Tarry joined strikes workers at London Euston station. This was in defiance Sir Keir Sternmer, Labour leader.
He shared his thoughts with ITV’s Good Morning Britain “If we don’t make a stand today, people’s lives could be lost.”
When asked if he expected to be fired by Sir Keir Mr Tarry replied: “I’ve no idea what Keir will decide to do but I know this – if Keir was in government right now, this dispute wouldn’t be happening.”
Sky News was told by Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, that Mr Tarry’s actions were unacceptable. “clearly in direct defiance of Sir Keir” “no doubt he’ll want to remove him from his job”.
Many of the passengers who show up at stations don’t know about the strike.
Trains running on time from Gatwick
This morning, rail strikes appear to have had minimal effect on Gatwick Airport railway station.
The trains to London Bridge, London Victoria or Three Bridges, and Brighton, are all running on time.
During the earlier rail strike action, there were major delays at the airport station.
Today’s staff presence is significantly lower than that of June’s strikes, when multiple staff members were present on each platform to assist passengers.
Railroad workers striking say that nothing has been changed despite three walkouts
The picket line workers at Bristol Temple Meads station reported Wednesday that there was little movement by employers or the government since the last three rounds of strikes.
They stated that rail companies would like to push ahead with driver only trains and eliminate guards who are known as train managers.
Sophie, 31, is a former railway guard who worked five years as a train conductor and two years as a security guard.
“If there is an accident or an incident, there is no qualified guard to look after passengers.”
She stated that while most passengers won’t notice the guard until they check their tickets, they must complete six months of training in order to be able to know all details of their routes. This includes platform length, access routes, signal points and signal points. First aid is also required.
People used to take buses instead of taxis.
The strikes have made Victoria Station, London, quieter than usual.
The station is tranquil, even as passengers rush to catch the scheduled trains.
One commuter suggested that chaos could be attributed to the fact there was no traffic. “people are just used to it now”After the three-day strike of last month.
They claimed that, after a difficult few months for rail services, people are now more optimistic. “used to finding other modes of transport, like buses or taxis”.