Four weeks of strikes announced by the RMT today

The RMT has announced four weeks of 48 hours strikes, to take place throughout December and January.

Following on from yesterday’s shock announcements from the union, network Rail and the RDG, where it was revealed that no settlement had been able to be reached, it has just been announced that over 40,000 members will strike on 13, 14, 16 and 17 December and on January 3,4,6 and 7.

There will also be an overtime ban across the railways from 18 December until 2 January.

Following the announcement, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This latest round of strikes will show how important our members are to the running of this country and will send a clear message that we want a good deal on job security, pay and conditions for our people.

“We have been reasonable, but it is impossible to find a negotiated settlement when the dead hand of government is presiding over these talks.

“The employers are in disarray and saying different things to different people sometimes at the same time. This whole process has become a farce that only the new Secretary of State can resolve. When I meet him later this week, I will deliver that message. 

“In the meantime, our message to the public is we are sorry to inconvenience you, but we urge you to direct your anger and frustration at the government and railway employers during this latest phase of action.

“We call upon all trades unionists in Britain to take a stand and fight for better pay and conditions in their respective industries. And we will seek to coordinate strike action and demonstrations where we can.

“Working people across our class need a pay rise and we are determined to win that for our members in RMT.”

These latest strikes are in addition to strikes planned by Aslef, which are due to take place on Saturday, 26 November, and the RMT on Avanti West Coast services on Sunday 11 and Monday 12 December.

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