AP

Rail workers walk off job to start month of UK strikes

Dec 12, 2022, 12:02 PM | Updated: Dec 13, 2022, 2:03 am

LONDON (AP) — Railroad workers across England walked off the job Tuesday, disrupting trains throughout the U.K. and starting what is expected to be a month of strikes by public service workers demanding higher pay as soaring inflation erodes living standards.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has called two 48-hour strikes this week, canceling most services on Tuesday and Wednesday then again on Friday and Saturday. The strikes come after unions rejected the latest offer on pay and working conditions from Network Rail, which runs the rail network, and 14 train operating companies.

Nurses, border guards and ambulance drivers are among the other workers set to strike this month, forcing the government to discuss mobilizing the army to staff vital public services this winter. The strikes also threaten to curtail business for shops, hotels and restaurants that rely on the Christmas season to boost revenue.

Labor unrest has increased in recent months after rising food and energy prices pushed inflation to a 41-year high of 11.1% and employer pay offers failed to keep pace with the cost of living. Some 417,000 working days were lost to strikes in October, the highest number in a decade.

RMT leader Mick Lynch insisted his members have the support of the public and blamed the government for the impasse.

“I have no intention of spoiling people’s Christmas,” he told British broadcaster ITV. “The government is contributing to that spoiling of the people’s Christmas because they’ve brought these strikes on by stopping the companies from making suitable proposals.”

In addition to seeking higher pay, the RMT is opposed to proposals it says will lead to job losses, force employees to work more nights and weekends and compromise the safety of the network.

Train companies and the government say they need to change the way the rail network operates to control costs after the pandemic reduced passenger traffic.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper rejected reports that he blocked an offer that would have increased pay for rail workers by 10% over two years.

“I haven’t blocked any offers,” he told the BBC. “Quite the reverse … I made sure there was an improved offer on the table. It’s a very fair and reasonable offer.”

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

18 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

19 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

19 hours ago

islamic state attack...

Vanessa Gera, The Associated Press

What we know after the Islamic State group claims responsibility for Moscow massacre

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed at least 133 people.

4 days ago

Moscow shooting...

The Associated Press

Russia: 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility

Assailants burst into a concert hall in Moscow on Friday and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing over 60 people, injuring more than 100.

6 days ago

Photo: Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge visits 282 (East Ham) Squadron, RAF Air Cadets, Cornwel...

Associated Press

Kate Middleton announces she has cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, says she is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer. She has been out of view since Christmas.

6 days ago

Rail workers walk off job to start month of UK strikes