Thrilled commuters are already making plans to work from home next week, in a scene that hasn’t been witnessed since the country was put on lockdown due to severe train strikes.
Britain is about to be thrown into disarray for a week when militant unions launch nationwide walkouts on June 21, June 23, and June 25. Only half of the network will be open, and service will be severely limited.
According to the Telegraph, the strike action is expected to cost the UK economy £450 million, and there are concerns that it could hinder the government’s efforts to bring workers back to work.
However, many employees resorted to social media today to express their joy at being able to spend the week at home and to anticipate dusting off the home office equipment.
‘Trains are back on strike then,’ one Twitter user remarked. Thanks to @northernassist, I’m looking forward to a wonderful summer of commuting…WFH once more.’
‘Am I the only one who doesn’t mind that I won’t be able to go to London next week because of rail strikes?’ said another. Today I’m working from home, filling bird baths.’
‘All for rail strikes provided they are Monday to Friday, providing the required incentive to WFH and giving us a nostalgic blast of the blissful summer of 2020,’ said a third.
‘Meggy Foster, masks, team quizzes, and Euro 96 replays.’
On the days rail workers from Network Rail and 13 train operators go on strike next week, just around half of Britain’s train network will be open, according to rail managers.
With certain lines only open from roughly 7.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., the reduced service is expected to cause substantial travel disruptions.
The strikes have been timed to cause’maximum inconvenience,’ according to Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines.
Some rail operators, like Southeastern and Northern, have issued ‘do not travel’ warnings ahead of the strike next week, while Network Rail has encouraged customers to expect disruption and plan ahead.
While some employees prefer to work from home some or all of the time, many managers are concerned that long-term flexible working will reduce productivity, stifle teamwork, and negatively impact employees’ social lives.
Data released last month showed that, while the number of office workers has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, it is steadily increasing – a trend that could come to a halt next week when the country is brought to a halt.
According to an official survey, three out of every four adults in the UK now travel to work at some point during the week, up from two-thirds a month ago.
The data revealed a shift in certain types of public behavior over the previous two months, which coincided with a steady decline in Covid infections.
However, the government has struggled to completely change the Working from Home culture, with a third of Britons still working from home at least part of the week.
The government is concerned that increased home working will have a negative impact on the economy, as workers will be less likely to go out to shop or buy lunch, and will avoid using office space.
The rail strikes, according to some social media users, will only reinforce the notion that working from home is more practical and reliable.
The rail strikes have forced a number of events and conferences to go online as organizers try to plan ahead and avoid any disruptions next week.
Meanwhile, not everyone is happy with the strikes continuing, as some employees have stated that they are still required to report to work and will have to make their own arrangements.
‘The last time I had a critical meeting in Westminster, there was a rail strike,’ one user wrote.
‘This month, I have another such meeting scheduled…
When enough of us have come to the conclusion that Zoom is the only reliable way to conduct business, train drivers will be in short supply.’
‘Easy for the laptop class to get to WFH during a transportation strike – major hassle for those who have to be present,’ said another.
The strikes will not only cause major disruption for commuters, but they will also occur during several major events.
The strikes, which begin on Tuesday and end on Saturday, will disrupt travel to a number of major events, including concerts, test matches of cricket, and the Glastonbury festival.
Glastonbury takes place from June 22 to June 26, with many festival-goers planning to arrive by train.
Other events that week include England’s test match against New Zealand in Leeds, the British athletics championships in Manchester, and concerts by Elton John (June 24) and the Rolling Stones in London’s Hyde Park (June 25).
Several people have resorted to social media to criticize the strikes, claiming that they are creating big disruptions to plans established months before.