RMT announce new strike dates in national rail dispute

Railway workers will walk out across the country on 15 and 17 September in a fight over jobs, pay and working conditions.

Over 40,000 RMT members from Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will take to picket lines, effectively shutting down the railway network.

In separate disputes, Hull Trains and Arriva Rail London will also be taking one day of strike action on 15 September.

Negotiations between the union and rail industry have been ongoing but there has been no breakthrough or new offers from either Network Rail or the train operating companies in the national rail dispute.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members have no choice but to continue this strike action.

“Network Rail and the train operating companies have shown little interest this past few weeks in offering our members anything new in order for us to be able to come to a negotiated settlement.

“Grant Shapps continues his dereliction of duty by staying in his bunker and shackling the rail industry from making a deal with us.

“We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes.”

Steve Montgomery, chair of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “These strikes are cynically timed to cause maximum disruption to the very passengers the industry depends on for its recovery. From those left out of pocket because they can’t get to work, to people missing vital appointments and thousands of children and young people who depend on the train to get to school, the union leadership’s actions have very real consequences.

“We absolutely want to give our people a pay rise and we know they are facing a squeeze – but the RMT must recognise that with revenue consistently at 20% below pre-COVID levels, the only solution lies in long-overdue reforms that will put the industry on a sustainable footing and improve services for passengers.

“Everybody wants to see the industry and its people thrive – we ask the RMT to do the right thing, call off these damaging strikes and work with us to make that happen.”

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