Tuesday 7 June 2022 05:22 PM RMT union bosses announce MORE rail strikes on June 21, 23 and 25 plus another ... trends now
Thousands of railway workers are to stage three days of strikes later this month in the biggest outbreak of industrial action in the industry in a generation, it has been announced.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail and 13 train operators will walk out on June 21, 23 and 25.
The RMT also announced another 24-hour strike on London Underground in a separate row over jobs and pensions.
Tube workers will strike on June 21 to coincide with the first rail strike, threatening widespread travel chaos.
Pictured: Mick Lynch, boss of RMT union, which is planning a wave of rail strikes this summer
Leicester Square station shut this morning amid the strike action organised by the RMT union
The union said it will be the biggest strike on the railways since 1989.
Union members voted overwhelmingly for action last month in growing rows over pay and job losses.
The RMT said rail staff who worked through the pandemic were facing pay freezes and hundreds of job cuts.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'Railway workers have been treated appallingly and despite our best efforts in negotiations, the rail industry with the support of the government has failed to take their concerns seriously.
'We have a cost-of-living crisis, and it is unacceptable for railway workers to either lose their jobs or face another year of a pay freeze when inflation is at 11.1 per cent and rising.
'Our union will now embark on a sustained campaign of industrial action which will shut down the railway system.
'Rail companies are making at least £500m a year in profits, while fat cat rail bosses have been paid millions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
'This unfairness is fuelling our members anger and their determination to win a fair settlement.
