United Kingdom: slow negotiations for the rail sector, despite the strike

A closed station platform at Waterloo station in London due to the national strike in the British rail sector, June 25, 2022. © Dominic Lipinski / AP

Text by: Emeline Vin Follow

3 mins

The most massive strike for 30 years was announced this week in the rail sector in the United Kingdom.

Three days of mobilization – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday – to demand job guarantees in a context of automation of the sector and wage increases.

Finally, the impact was quite limited this week.

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From our correspondent in London,

On paper, it's been a disastrous week on track.

40,000 employees on strike, one in five trains in circulation

, half of the network closed, nothing after 6:30 p.m.

But on the ground, despite the predictions, it was very calm in the stations.

Indeed, carriers have been warning for more than a week: only travel for essential reasons.

And since the Covid-19 pandemic, teleworking has become widely democratized, limiting the disruption for employees.

The majority of those who were able to postpone or cancel their trip did so.

The real impact was ultimately indirect on the “

 ” sector: restaurants, nightclubs, theaters and cinemas.

It's a domino effect: if people can't get around, if they know they won't be able to return, they leave early, don't go for a drink after work.

There is an estimated £540 million in losses for this industry.

A new mobilization envisaged

For now, negotiations are stalling.

Network Rail, the owner of the railway network, refuses to give in on automation and reforms – necessary according to directors to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

This will mechanically lead to job cuts.

On salaries, it's a little more open.

The unions are demanding a 7% increase as 

in May in the United Kingdom.

For the moment, it would seem that the latest proposal from the employers is around 4%.

The union behind the movement, the RMT (

), has a six-month mandate.

That means they can again call for mobilization until the fall.

Chairman Mick Lynch, whose candor and composure provided great television moments for interviewers, has previously indicated that he remains open to discussions.

But he and the organization think that a new mobilization would be necessary.

Towards a summer of anger

Moreover, this is not the only sector that risks going on strike this summer.

Observers speak here of a potential " 

 ", like the general strike in the winter of 78-79.

Several companies such as British Airways have already announced mobilizations and flight cancellations.

They want better wages after suffering cuts during Covid.

There are the lawyers who have already called for a strike, to demand more means for justice.

Ditto for teachers and health personnel, they could disengage during the holidays or at the start of the school year.

All this in a context of record inflation, 10% expected this year, where all employees will suffer a loss of disposable income with soaring prices.

►Also listen: International Guest - Strikes and inflation in the United Kingdom: "Prices are rising faster than wages"

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