A strike by train drivers has once again brought rail traffic to a standstill in large parts of Great Britain. Thousands of members of the train drivers' union Aslef called for higher wages and more security for their jobs. The strike at seven private rail companies on Saturday hit visitors to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as well as scores of football fans en route to their teams' first game of the season. It was only during the course of Sunday morning that the consequences of the walkout were no longer felt.
Tens of thousands of members of the RMT railway union had already stopped work on Wednesday. Both unions have again announced several strikes for August.
The conservative government was outraged by the industrial action. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps accused the unions of refusing necessary reforms and delaying collective bargaining at the expense of taxpayers. "Enough!" Shapps wrote in the Times newspaper (Saturday). Aslef Secretary General Mick Whelan then accused the minister of lying and called on him to mediate in the negotiations. RMT boss Mick Lynch had previously threatened a general strike if the government implemented its announced plans and curtailed the unions' right to strike.
Railway association disappointed
The head of the rail association Rail Delivery Group, Steve Montgomery, was disappointed with the strikes and defended the planned savings and cuts. "Like any service provider and business, we must adapt and cannot keep asking taxpayers and passengers for more and more money when instead we should be responding to the tremendous changes in travel behavior post-pandemic," Montgomery said.
But it's not just at Deutsche Bahn that employees are outraged at what they consider to be too low wage offers. Most recently, employees of the post offices and the telecommunications group BT went on strike. A strike is planned at Felixstowe, the main container port, and refuse collection will go on strike for more than two weeks in two areas in Greater London.
Consumers in Great Britain are suffering enormously from the high inflation, which recently reached its highest level in around 40 years at almost 10 percent and is likely to continue to rise. In October and again in January, the already high energy costs are likely to explode again. The competent supervisory authority then allows price increases for electricity and gas again.
The government has decided on several countermeasures. All households will receive a total of 400 pounds (476 euros) off their energy bills. Critics consider this insufficient.
Aslef strike announcement for August "Times" article with Shapps contribution (paywall)
