Passengers stand around inside Euston station in London on the first day of a rail strike on Tuesday June 21, 2022. Britain's biggest rail strikes in decades went ahead Tuesday after last-minute talks between a union and train companies failed to reach a settlement over pay and job security. Up to 40,000 cleaners, signalers, maintenance workers and station staff are due to walk out for three days this week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - Tens of thousands of railway workers walked off the job in Britain on Tuesday, bringing the train network to a crawl in the country's biggest transit strike for three decades.
About 40,000 cleaners, signalers, maintenance workers and station staff were holding a 24-hour strike, with two more planned for Thursday and Saturday. Compounding the pain for commuters, London Underground subway services were also hit by a walkout on Tuesday.
The dispute centers on pay, working conditions and job security as Britain's railways struggle to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Major stations were largely deserted on Tuesday morning, with only about 20% of passenger trains scheduled to run.
Nurse manager Priya Govender was at London Bridge station, struggling to get back to her home south of the city.
'œI definitely will not be able to get a bus because they are packed. I will have to get an Uber,'ť she said. 'œMy day has been horrible. It is going to be a long day and I still have a full day's work to do.'ť
The strike was upending the plans of employees trying to get to work, students during exam season and music-lovers headed for the Glastonbury Festival, which starts Wednesday in southwest England.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of industry body UKHospitality, said the walkout would cost restaurants, cafes and bars much-needed business.
'œFragile consumer confidence will take a further hit, thousands of people able and willing to spend money in hospitality venues across the country will be prevented from doing so, while staff will undoubtedly struggle to even get to work,'ť she said.
There were almost 1 billion train journeys in the U.K. in the year to March. But that is well below pre-COVID-19 levels, and train companies, which were kept afloat with government support during the past two years, are seeking to cut costs and staffing.
Last-minute talks on Monday failed to make a breakthrough. The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union says it will not accept rail firms' offer of a 3% raise, which is far below the rate of inflation, currently running at 9%.
The union accuses the Conservative government of refusing to give rail firms enough flexibility to offer a substantial pay increase.
The government says it is not involved in the talks, but has warned that big raises will spark a wage-price spiral driving inflation even higher.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused unions of 'œharming the very people they claim to be helping'ť and called for 'œa sensible compromise for the good of the British people and the rail workforce.'ť
A passenger at Euston station in London looks at the departures board on the first day of a rail strike on Tuesday June 21, 2022. Britain's biggest rail strikes in decades went ahead Tuesday after last-minute talks between a union and train companies failed to reach a settlement over pay and job security. Up to 40,000 cleaners, signalers, maintenance workers and station staff are due to walk out for three days this week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
A woman walks her dog into an almost empty London Bridge station in London, Tuesday June 21, 2022. Britain's biggest rail strike in decades went ahead Tuesday after last-minute talks between a union and train companies failed to reach a settlement over pay and job security. Up to 40,000 cleaners, signalers, maintenance workers and station staff are due to walk out for three days this week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. (AP Photo/Tony Hicks)
The Associated Press
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in Bristol, England, Tuesday June 21, 2022. Tens of thousands of railway workers walked off the job in Britain on Tuesday, bringing services grinding to a halt in the country's biggest transit strike in three decades. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
A passenger waits at Great Malvern train station as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike, in Worcester, England, Tuesday June 21, 2022. Tens of thousands of railway workers walked off the job in Britain on Tuesday, bringing services grinding to a halt in the country's biggest transit strike in three decades. (David Davies/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Trains stand stationary on tracks by platforms in Waterloo railway station in London, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Britain is facing its biggest rail strikes in decades after last-minute talks between a union and train companies failed to reach a settlement over pay and job security. Up to 40,000 cleaners, signalers, maintenance workers and station staff are due to walk out for three days this week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The strike is expected to shut down most of the rail network across the country, with London Underground subway services also hit by a walkout on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
The Associated Press
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in Bristol, England, Tuesday June 21, 2022. Tens of thousands of railway workers walked off the job in Britain on Tuesday, bringing services grinding to a halt in the country's biggest transit strike in three decades. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)
The Associated Press