London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jul 05, 2025

Rail strikes to go ahead next Wednesday

Rail strikes to go ahead next Wednesday

A strike by more than 40,000 rail workers will go ahead next Wednesday after no breakthrough in talks, the RMT trade union has said.
The walkout by staff at Network Rail and 14 train operating companies is part of a continuing row over pay, jobs, and terms and conditions.

The strike will affect the Women's Euro 2022 semi-final in Milton Keynes.

It follows a similar strike in June that saw rail services severely disrupted across three days.

The fresh walkout on 27 July will coincide with a strike at Avanti West Coast, which serves the Birmingham line, the day before the Commonwealth Games begin in the city.

Transport for London (TfL) said it expected disruption across lines and stations that share infrastructure with Network Rail.

The strikes look set to kick off a week of pain for travellers, with knock-on effects expected into Thursday 28 July and a separate walkout by train drivers at eight operators on Saturday 30 July.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said its members were "more determined than ever to secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions".

He said Network Rail - the government-owned agency that maintains tracks and operates big stations - had not improved its pay offer.

"In fact Network Rail have upped the ante, threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50% cuts to maintenance work if we did not withdraw our planned strike action," he claimed.

Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said that despite its "best efforts to find a breakthrough, I'm afraid there will be more disruption for passengers next week" and accused the RMT of political campaigning.

He added: "It is frustrating to yet again ask our passengers to change their plans and only make essential journeys."

Thousands of workers walked out on three days in June, causing severe disruption to millions of passengers. As well as the two further days of action scheduled in July, the RMT is planning to strike again on 18 and 20 August if differences haven't been resolved.

The dispute centres around whether workers, including guards, signallers, catering staff and cleaners, will receive pay rises to keep up with the sharply rising cost of living.

But the railway workers' union has also highlighted proposed changes to pension schemes, working practices, and what it says is insufficient general funding for the transport system.

During the pandemic many workers adapted to working from home for at least part of their working week, reducing demand for rail services. The rail industry says working practices need to be updated to save money in the light of these new habits.

Tim Shoveller, Network Rail's lead negotiator, said the RMT had walked away from "ongoing and constructive talks".

"A two-year, 8% deal with a no-compulsory-redundancy guarantee and other benefits and extras was on the table and they have walked away without giving their members a voice or a choice," he said.

"We will now consider how we will move forward with our reform plans despite the RMT obstinacy."

The government has urged the union to end the industrial action.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said it was now "clearer than ever that the RMT has no interest in engaging in constructive discussions".

"The rail industry has to modernise and be brought into the 21st century for the benefit of passengers and staff. We're extremely disappointed to see that instead of staying at the table, RMT executives have chosen to walk away once more," the DfT spokesperson said.

The RMT's Mick Lynch said the government needed to "stop interfering" and that RMT would "continue to negotiate in good faith but we will not be bullied or cajoled by anyone".
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
×