Travel through Britain’s train stations came to a standstill on Tuesday as widespread strike action, described as the largest in more than three decades, plunged commuters into chaos and convinced many to stay home.
Railway union RMT argues the strikes are necessary as wages have failed to keep pace with UK inflation, which is at a 40-year high and set to rise.
Final talks to avert the walkout collapsed on Monday, prompting more than 50,000 RMT members to leave the company.
But negotiations will resume on Wednesday, the RMT announced. Network Rail, which looks after the country’s rails, told AFP talks would begin at 10:00 a.m. (0900 GMT).
Train and London Underground stations, normally a sea of people during the morning and evening rush hours, were deserted or even closed and only skeleton service was running on many networks across the country.
Passengers have been warned not to travel all week as two more strike days are planned for Thursday and Saturday, disrupting schedules.
Taxi companies reported an increase in demand, while the main streets were jammed with buses and cars and cyclists weaved in between.
Long queues formed at bus stops in outskirts of London just after 6:00 am (0500 GMT), but many gave up as buses continued uninterrupted and were already full.
Commuters trying to find their way home faced similar problems.
– “Frustrating” –
Amber Zito, 24, a canine hydrotherapist from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, called the strikes “frustrating” after missing her morning train but supported the railway workers.
“Right now everything is kind of going haywire – planes, trains, everything.
“I blame the government. I don’t blame the people who work for railway companies at all, they’re just trying to do what everyone wants for their job.”
The country appeared divided over the strikes, with 37 percent in favor this week versus 45 percent against, according to a preliminary YouGov poll.
The government maintains that the problem must be solved by private rail operators and trade unions.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he “regrets” the strikes, which he says are reminiscent of the “bad old days of the 1970s” when industrial action was far more common.
“The people who are suffering are people who have to physically show up for work, maybe with lower pay, maybe the cleaners in hospitals,” he told Sky News.
– ‘stay course’ –
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a speech to his cabinet, “urged the union barons to sit down with Network Rail and the railway companies” to negotiate a deal.
The country must “stay the course” and defend rail network reforms as needed and in the public interest.
RMT Secretary-General Mick Lynch has called offers of below-inflation pay rises from both overground rail operators and London Underground, which operates the underground system in the capital, “unacceptable”.
The strikes could cause significant disruption to major events such as the Glastonbury music festival.
Thousands of teenagers taking national school exams were also hit. Some decided to leave at least an hour early to make it on time, while others took taxis.
The strikes are the biggest conflict on Britain’s rail network since 1989, according to the RMT. And rail operators have been warning of disruptions throughout the week.
During the strikes, only about 20 percent of services are operational and half of all lines are closed. The lines that are still open are running at reduced capacity.
And alongside the above-ground rail strike, RMT members of the London Underground are staging a 24-hour tube stop on Tuesday.
Service is expected to hit 60 percent on Wednesday, leading to more disruptions.
– Teachers, Lawyers, NHS –
Countries around the world are being hit by decades of high inflation as the Ukraine war and the easing of Covid restrictions push up energy and food prices.
Unions are also warning that rail jobs are at risk as passenger services have yet to fully recover after the coronavirus pandemic lifted lockdowns.
The strikes add to a wider travel chaos after airlines were forced to cut flights due to staff shortages, causing long delays and passenger frustration.
Thousands of workers have been laid off in the airline industry during the pandemic and the sector is struggling to rehire workers as demand for travel picks up again after lockdowns were lifted.
The Criminal Bar Association, which represents senior lawyers in England and Wales, has voted to go on strike over funding for legal aid from next week.
Teachers, workers in the state’s National Health Service and postal service are also considering going on strike.
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