Sadiq Khan accused the government of “inciting” a subway strike next week.
The mayor of London claims that Boris Johnson and Grant Shaps are “breaking up” the unit with a deal to finance transport to London.
He said: “The Tories are in government and this is a classic diversion from Shaps and Johnson, who are responsible for this divisive policy, for raising them against us, communities against workers.
This comes as more and more railway workers have to vote for strikes in an escalation of wage disputes and jobs, increasing the threat of a summer of travel chaos.
The Transport Employees’ Association (TSSA) has sent out a notice to vote to hundreds of workers in Southeastern, saying it is pushing for a guarantee of no forced layoffs, without unspecified changes in terms and conditions and wage increases reflecting rising living costs.
Further action could complement the three days of strikes scheduled for 21, 23 and 25 June.
Key points
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Sadiq Khan encourages RMT to meet with TfL to try to end strikes
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said he encourages the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) to speak to Transport for London (TfL) representatives so that planned strikes in the capital do not take place.
He told the BBC’s World At One: “I encourage RMT to meet with TfL before Tuesday to repeal these strikes.
“Next week’s strikes will be so damaging to London’s economy that they will be incredibly uncomfortable.
“RMT’s concerns about London are due to the conditions set by the government regarding the funding needed for the pandemic, so they are directing their anger at the wrong people. Sinful people suffer.
“So in connection with the strikes in London, I would encourage RMT to meet with TfL.”
As for nationwide strikes, Mr Hahn added that the government must address trade union issues “in a friendly way”.
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 2:04 p.m.
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Network Rails warns of interruption of heat wave movement
Today, it could face severe travel disruptions as parts of England experience temperatures close to 35 degrees, Network Rail warned.
Overheated wires and tracks could cause disruptions and delays, the railway operator warned, leading to travel chaos ahead of strikes next week.
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 1:30 p.m.
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Watch: Grant Shaps calls on railway workers not to strike “on the basis of lies”
Grant Shaps calls on railway workers not to strike “under the main lie”
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 12:45 p.m.
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The government is “breaking the divide” between communities and workers
Sadiq Khan accused the government of “inciting” a subway strike next week.
The mayor of London claims that Boris Johnson and Grant Shaps are “breaking up” the unit with a deal to finance transport to London.
He said: “At the heart of this is the government … organizing and engineering and inciting a strike in London by attaching these conditions to a financing deal that has really worried unions.
“The Tories are in government and this is a classic diversion from Shaps and Johnson, who are responsible for this divisive policy, for breaking them against us, communities against workers.
“And now they have the audacity to blame Her Majesty’s official opposition for these strikes when the government is in the cockpit.
“This is punishing the wrong people – the government is the one tying these strings, not the Londoners, not our business, not our key workers.
(PA)
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 12:15 p.m.
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Southeast workers will vote on strikes that will cause more chaos when traveling in the summer
More railway workers will vote for strikes in escalating wage disputes and jobs, increasing the threat of a summer of travel chaos.
The Transport Employees Association (TSSA) has sent out a notice to vote to hundreds of workers in Southeastern, saying it requires a guarantee that there will be no mandatory redundancies, no unspecified changes in conditions and wage increases, reflecting rising living costs.
Voting starts on June 23 and ends on July 11, so the action can start on July 25.
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 11:45
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All trains running during the railway strike
During the planned nationwide rail strikes on three dates in late June, only 22% of passenger train services will run – most on key connections to and from London.
According to RMT, this is “the biggest dispute in the network since 1989” and will involve 40,000 workers.
A senior railway official said the plan was to work “as decent a service as we can”.
Only about half of Britain’s rail network will be open on strike days, from around 7.30am to 6.30pm.
At Network Rail, the infrastructure provider, the most critical roles in the daily work of the railway are 5,000 signalmen.
Management and other staff are expected to cover about half of the network for about 11 hours a day. Many lines will not see trains.
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 11:15
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When do train strikes start?
After members of the RMT railroad union voted 8-1 in favor of strike action on jobs, pay and conditions, their union convened national rail strikes on three dates in late June.
Union Rail members and 13 train operators will organize 24-hour walks on June 21, 23 and 25.
What could be the effect? And are there any other disputes ahead?
Read below for key questions about the strikes answered by our travel correspondent Simon Calder:
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 10:45
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“Join me in condemning the rail strikes,” Sajid Javid told Wes Street.
Health Minister Sajid Javid has called on shadow health minister Wes Street to support his condemnation of the rail strikes, which he said would lead to “vulnerable patients missing out”.
Speaking in time for questions last week, Wes Street said he would be impressed if he worked in the railway industry. He said: “To put it this way, if I were a member of the RMT and my jobs were at such risk, then I would have voted in favor of the strike and I would have voted in favor of defending my working conditions.
Wes Street reportedly was forced to apologize for his remarks.
Sajid Javid said in a letter to Wes Street, posted on Twitter: “I know you care about health and care in this country. So please put patients first and join me in condemning the impact of these unjustified strikes, which are bad for patients and bad for the NHS and social staff. ”
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 10:15
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Railway strikes “put people’s livelihoods at risk,” the minister said
Government Secretary Paul Scully said the upcoming railway line “puts people’s livelihoods at risk” in a “fragile” time for personal finances.
The business minister also called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to remove the congestion charge and halt minor road works during the strike.
Speaking to LBC, he said: “If you go on strike, you risk other businesses, other people’s livelihoods, but also the rail system up and down the country, including London.
“Because we are at a time when we are trying to get people back to work and this is fragile – any excuse to stop people from traveling really affects the tariff box and the financial viability of the rail service.
“We don’t want to risk anyone’s work, so please go around the table, it doesn’t help anyone.
“What I would also call for, however, is to assume that the railway strikes continue, that in London the mayor is raising the congestion charge and stopping minor road work on these strike days to make it easier for people to get to work and get to work. “
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 10:00 a.m.
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The NHS tells patients to plan ahead during strikes
NHS patients in England are urged to schedule appointments in advance, as rail strikes will wreak havoc on travel next week.
Speaking before the strikes, the NHS chief doctor reminded people that “the NHS remains open” as he urged people to seek care when needed.
Strikes can have a particular impact on hospitals in London, many of which have limited parking capacity for those considering driving to meetings as an alternative.
Professor Sir Stephen Powys, National Medical Director of the NHS in England, said: “With the expected rail strikes across the country next week, I urge those who have booked appointments to plan ahead and look for alternatives to access their medical practice. or hospital if necessary.
“The NHS sees millions of people every week for emergency and routine care, and it’s vital that people have access to the care they need, despite the interruptions – the NHS remains open, so please keep going out.”
Thomas Kingsley June 17, 2022 09:45
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