17 August 2022
RMT Press Office:
Over 50,000 workers to walk out.
Over 50,000 workers across Network Rail, London Overground, London Underground and other 14 train operating companies will walkout this week following no breakthrough in any talks.
RMT members on London Overground voted overwhelmingly for strike action after rejecting a below inflation pay offer and negotiations with employers at Network Rail, train operating companies and the tube have failed to produce satisfactory settlements due to ongoing government interference.
As a result, strike action will take place on the rail network tomorrow (Thursday) and Saturday as planned and on the tube and London Overground this Friday.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that across the transport network members were now more determined than ever to protect their pensions, secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions.
“Network Rail have not made any improvement on their previous pay offer and the train operating companies have not offered us anything new.
“Tube bosses are having secret negotiations with the government about cutting costs by slashing jobs and undermining working conditions and pensions.
“Network Rail is also threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50 per cent cuts to maintenance work if we did not withdraw strike action.
“The train operating companies have put driver only operations on the table along with ransacking our members terms and conditions.
“RMT will continue to negotiate in good faith but we cannot tolerate being bullied or hoodwinked into accepting a raw deal for our members.
“The government need to stop their interference in these disputes so the employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us.”