Strike wave grows in the UK
The collective strike launched by road and railway workers over disagreement over increased wages and working conditions in England led to serious transport disruptions.
40,000 railway workers affiliated with the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) are on a 48-hour strike for the second time this week over proposed wage increase under inflation above 10 percent per year, and ongoing disagreement with the railway operator Network Rail regarding working conditions.
National Rail announced that serious disruptions to transportation services are inevitable, as some routes will be limited and some trains will not run.
Due to the strike affecting England, Wales and Scotland, 20 per cent of the rail transport sector will be in service and the workers’ strike will continue tomorrow if no consensus is reached.
Accusation of ‘LOWEST WAGE COMPANY’
Rail operator Network Rail has offered workers a 5% raise this year and 4% next year. Britain’s largest rail union, RMT, rejected Network Rail’s offer on the grounds that it was below inflation.
The railway workers also went on strike on December 13 and 14.
West and South London bus drivers go on strike again
The Unite union, which says it invited Abellio to a meeting in September but received no response, accuses Abellio of being “the worst-paid transport company in the capital.”
Areas affected by the lockdown include Battersea, Beddington, Hayes, Southall, Twickenham and Walworth.
THE BUS DRIVERS WERE ON STRIKE
Strike wave is growing in the UK Many unions, arguing that wages are falling in the face of rising cost of living and inflation in the country, and therefore do not accept the proposed below-inflation wage increase that exceeds 10 percent per year. , decided to attack one after another.
A wide range of occupational groups, including teachers, bus drivers, dock workers, journalists, public servants, nurses, criminal lawyers, railway, airport, university, aviation and postal service workers, were among the participants in the action to stop work.
In addition to the strike decisions, thousands of people protesting cost of living and austerity policies frequently organized demonstrations and marches across the country, especially in the capital London.
The government, on the other hand, is looking for ways to deal with the rising wave of strikes. In this context, the British Government warned that it could give a “harsh response” to unions that insist on going on strike, and announced that it is working on new laws against the strike wave. (AA)