Great Britain
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One-fifth of trains keep running as rail workers begin days-long strike

One-fifth of trains in the UK are expected to run on Thursday as rail workers go on strike over disputes over wages and working conditions.

Tens of thousands of rail, subway and bus workers will go on strike later this week and will continue through the weekend.

On Thursday, workers from 14 rail operators and infrastructure managers Network Rail represented by the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions will exit.

Their actions resulted in the cancellation of four-fifths of trains, the complete closure of half the line, and the remaining services running only from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. expected.

The knock-on effect of the strike is expected to last until Friday morning, with London Underground staff and some bus lines represented by RMT and Unite also going on strike.

Then on Saturday the Network Rail workers and railroad companies will be out again. This time, the bus driver will also leave.

Workers want wages to match inflation and resist job cuts.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said Network Rail "hasn't improved upon its previous paid offerings and the train operator hasn't offered anything new."

He accused the government of engaging in "secret negotiations" with subway bosses about "cutting costs through job cuts and weakening working conditions and pensions."

“Network Rail has also threatened to impose forced layoffs and a dangerous 50% cut in maintenance work if it does not withdraw its strike.

TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortez said his members of the rail industry were entering a third or fourth year salary freeze.

"Meanwhile, food and fuel costs It's skyrocketing and the Tory cost of living crisis is making working people poorer. Enough is enough, it can't go on like this," he added.

"For many members, this is the first time industrial action has been taken. It is a last resort and not something railroad workers should take.

Mr. Cortez said. He added: "Railway workers risked their lives to keep the country running amid a pandemic and were rightfully hailed as heroes. But now the Tories are negotiating

"Secretary of Transportation Grant Shaps and the Department of

"Either you sit down at the table, or you let your employer negotiate freely. Stop pulling strings to stop negotiations.

" This controversy does not go away: Thousands of railroad workers across the country are experiencing real wage cuts as inflation soars and the cost of living continues to rise.

"We We will not back down until our members have the compensation, conditions and job security they deserve."

Prior to the suspension, Transportation Secretary Grant Shaps said: .

"Unfortunately, the union president has a poor memory and intends to reward this act of good faith by ruining millions of hardworking workers. People's summer plans."

"The capital's leisure and tourism sector, which relied on trade that summer, will lose millions of dollars, and businesses will also suffer. Lockdown."

Network Rail. said Andrew Haines, Chief Executive Officer of

“We made a fair and just offer, but the union refuses to give employees a say, except for TSSA management who accepted the deal. And that means more: disruption to the rail network.

"We will run as many services as possible on Thursdays and Saturdays, but only about one-fifth of the normal timetable." Only travel if absolutely necessary, and if travel is necessary, plan ahead: go ahead and check when the last train is."