Just seconds after Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng promised to halt union leaders from shutting down transportation, rail employees stated they will join the October 1 train strike.
In a long-running dispute over wages, employment, and working conditions, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) announced that thousands of its members working for Network Rail and other train operators would strike on October 1.
The declaration came shortly after the Chancellor informed lawmakers that the government is preparing to take steps to prevent “militant” labour unions from shutting down the transportation system.
Following a decision by drivers in the Aslef union at 12 train companies to strike between October 1 and October 5, rail customers in Britain may experience even more inconvenience next month.
On strike days, train operators have already begun to stop taking reservations for tickets.
The strikes will have an impact on travel to and from the October 2–5 Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
Routes into and around the city will be interrupted, which will have an effect on runners planning to arrive in London for the London Marathon on October 2.
A total shutdown of the UK’s rail system on October 1—the day before the start of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham—is being threatened by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union and Aslef.
On October 5, members of Aslef will also go on strike. On October 5, 6, and 8, the TSSA will also go on strike.
Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Greater Anglia, Cross Country, Great Western Railways, Hull, LNER, London Overground, Northern, Southeastern, Transpennine Express, and West Midlands Trains are among the 12 participating firms.
Staff employees from ticket counters, stations, control rooms, and other support positions are among the TSSA members taking part in the action.
The news follows the TSSA’s decision to postpone the September strike dates that were set in response to the Queen’s passing.
The TSSA is asking for a guarantee that there won’t be any forced layoffs, a salary increase that addresses the cost-of-living problem, or unexpected changes to terms and conditions.
Accusations of improper touching and insisting ladies he worked with kissed Manuel Cortes, 55, the head of the TSSA.
Helena Kennedy KC with the TUC on the claims before speaking to former and current union leaders about Mr. Cortes.
The allegations of harassment initially surfaced in the spring when a coworker, Claire Laycock, said that Mr. Cortes had made unwelcome approaches toward her in a bar after a holiday party in 2018.
There have been at least six other allegations of sexual harassment or bullying.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary, stated: “We do not taking this step lightly. We would much prefer settle this increasingly protracted disagreement by reasonable negotiation, but we are at a loss for options.
A significant portion of the train employees in our union, many of whom have been members for a long time, had never been personally engaged in a labour dispute prior to this year.
As they did during the epidemic, our members across all of our railroads recently stepped up to the plate and went above and beyond to fulfil the enormous demand for extra services and to keep the public safe during the time of public mourning. They continue to be underestimated while consistently demonstrating their value.
We can only hope that the incoming secretary of state for transportation will have better judgement than her predecessor. She has the authority to order a fair salary increase, appropriate terms and conditions, and to put a stop to this conflict. Train operators need to sit down with us at a table and come up with reasonable solutions.
On the London Woolwich Ferry, Unite union members decisively supported industrial action in a vote.
Next week, the representatives of the employees will meet to discuss scheduling.
Employers, according to Unite, are refusing to talk about a wage agreement for this year.
“Workers on the Woolwich Ferry are not prepared to be intimidated and treated with disdain,” stated general secretary Sharon Graham. They voted to go on strike because of the crisis brought on by the rising expense of living, but the employers won’t even talk about wages for this year.
Before the union announces strike dates, there is a brief window of time for negotiations. The employees can rely on having the full support of their union.
In recent months, the crew has previously gone on strike in protest of their salary.