United Kingdom: London paralyzed by a transport strike for better wages
Audio 01:13
On August 18, 2022, London's rail transport was paralyzed by the biggest strike in 30 years.
© TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
London Underground and UK trains are crippled by the biggest strike in 30 years.
Since the beginning of the summer, the disturbances have multiplied.
Faced with galloping inflation, employees in the railway sector are demanding a salary increase in line with inflation, which reached 10.1% in July over one year.
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With our correspondent in London,
Sidonie Gaucher
In the middle of school holidays, only one train in five was circulating in the country.
The strike continues until at least Sunday.
Tube operator Transport for London (TfL) recommends avoiding travel.
In front of the board indicating the cancellation of the trains, this woman is looking for an alternative.
She does not share the wage demands of the strikers: “
No, certainly not, they earn a very good living.
Much more than most of the nurses I know, the auxiliary agents who have really long working hours, who sometimes remain on duty for 12 hours at a time, at night.
With extreme situations where they are insulted and they are paid a pittance.
Half of what railway workers earn at TfL.
I absolutely do not support this movement, I find it outrageous.
»
A strike that spreads
Other travelers took the fold: “
I just have to organize myself in advance.
So today I can take the metro and tomorrow I will take the train.
I have to leave early, about an hour early.
They have the right to strike, you know.
I don't care, I can organize myself accordingly.
»
This movement promises to expand to postal workers, the telecom operator BT, Amazon handlers, but also lawyers, criminal lawyers and garbage collectors.
On Sunday, the port of Felixstowe - the biggest for freight in the country - begins an eight-day strike.
►Also listen: International Guest - Strikes in the United Kingdom: "If there are so many, it means that people are really at their wit's end"
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UK
Employment and Labor
Transportation
Economic crisis