Rail strike here, tube strike there: industrial action is hot this summer.
Following the mass rail strikes that took place across the UK in June and July, three more days of walkouts were planned this month – on August 13, 18 and 20 – causing travel chaos across the country. The British public have almost got used to it. But when will the rail strikes end? Unfortunately, there’s still no end in sight.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch warned that the dispute could go on ‘indefinitely’ and called on the UK government to end its refusal to get involved in the talks over pay, jobs and conditions. Lynch said RMT members were ‘completely committed to the cause’ and would ‘keep going’ in their long-running dispute ‘until a negotiated settlement is reached’.
It’s very clear that unions won’t back down anytime soon – so, unless there’s a breakthrough in talks, the rail strikes could continue for months and perhaps even spill into next year.
ICYMI: why can’t the British rail network cope with the heat?
Plus: could there soon be a shortage of bottled water in the UK?