The head of the UK train drivers’ union has warned of a “massive” disruption this summer as its members vote on their first national strike since 1995, with wage outflows exacerbating the chaos of travel of the United Kingdom.
The vote on Aslef’s industrial action, which represents drivers, coincides with a similar vote by staff at stations and ticket offices that belong to the TSSA. These follow last month’s RMT strike, which halted British rail travel near the stop.
With protesters blocking parts of the highway network on Monday due to high fuel prices, the prospect of new rail strikes to pay is further proof of the disruption caused by rising inflation.
Aslef votes for drivers of 10 train companies, with the first results next week. “It will be much more disturbing than it has been in the past. We do not strike very often,” Mick Whelan, general secretary of the Aslef drivers’ union, told the Financial Times.
With staff from three companies already voting in favor of the strike, Whelan said it was “likely” that the outings would be coordinated, leading, in fact, to the first national drivers’ strike since 1995. ” We believe. [strikes] it will have a massive effect, “he said, adding,” There will be a summer of interruptions. ”
Whelan said staff were offered a 2 percent wage increase plus money saved from productivity gains, such as changes in exchange patterns. The union wants an increase close to inflation, which is expected to reach 11 percent in October.
There are very limited contingency plans to replace striking drivers. Two industry executives said that if drivers of all companies left simultaneously, the network would run less than 10% of normal services.
The TSSA is also threatening action, with the results of the votes of 10 train and Network Rail operators in the next two weeks.
Avanti West Coast staff voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of industrial action in a dispute over wages, job security and conditions last week, with TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes warning ministers that ” they take note, “as the result was” only the beginning. ” ”.
Meanwhile, the RMT will restart talks to avoid further strikes with Network Rail and 13 train operating companies next Monday.
Fuel protesters slow down traffic on the A64 in Yorkshire © Cameron Smith / Getty Images
Whelan denied that the three unions are coordinating the strikes. However, the large number of ballots sent across the industry means that some senior railway executives are resigned to a summer of growing disruption.
The government is threatening new “minimum service agreements”, which would mean that a certain number of services would have to be maintained in the event of a strike. But ministers have said it would take months to draft such legislation.
At the same time, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is keen to introduce a new law that would make it difficult for unions to strike unless they adhere closely to the wording of their initial vote.
“We want the railway unions to be fully committed to their employers, instead, Aslef seeks to cause more misery to passengers by joining others to disrupt the railway network,” the government said.
“The rail industry desperately needs modernization to make it work better for passengers and be financially sustainable in the long run.”
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With the railway on the brink of more strikes, parts of the British road network were hit on Monday by slow roadblocks by protesters complaining about rising fuel costs.
Police arrested 12 people after a protest on the M4, while demonstrations were also recorded on roads in England, such as the A12, M5, M54 and Scotland.
The action represents the most visible reaction so far against the rising cost of fuel, echoing the protests of the “yellow vests” in France after being organically organized on social media.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March reduced fuel taxes by 5 pence per liter, but this has had little impact.
The RAC asked retailers to reduce the cost of petrol by 5 pence per liter after its price reached a new record of 191.53 liters per liter, while diesel remained close to 2 pounds sterling.
“While we respect the right to protest, the day-to-day lives of the people should not be disturbed,” the government said.