Further rail strikes 'catastrophic' for sector

15-Jul-2022 - Last updated on 15-Jul-2022 at 09:38 GMT

Catastrophic: further rail strikes could lead to irreparable loss for hospitality sector (Credit: Getty/gregobagel)

The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has raised further concerns over the sector’s post-pandemic recovery amid confirmation of more rail strikes, set to have a “catastrophic” impact on the industry.

This comes as The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) yesterday (Thursday 14 July) confirmed more than 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies were scheduled to take part in further strike action on Thursday 18 August and Saturday 20 August.

Furthermore, earlier this week RMT also stated Wednesday 27 July would see 24 hours of strike following “paltry” offers to settle disputes regarding pay and job security.

NTIA CEO Michael Kill said: “Our industry is suffering heavily from rising costs, as inflation reaches a high, with most reporting an estimated loss of up to 40% in trade from previous strike activity, we must come together to support a recovery we can all benefit from.

Irreparable loss

“Any consideration of long-term strike action would be catastrophic, sporadic weekly or daily planned strike action is eating into consumer confidence and will lead to an irreparable loss of business and jobs, after so much hard work has been put into recovery in the last 12 months.

“Our sector is at a critical point in building to pre covid business levels, as we embark on one of the most important summer festival seasons.”

Companies participating in upcoming strikes:

Network Rail
Chiltern Railways
Cross Country Trains
Greater Anglia
LNER
East Midlands Railway
c2c
Great Western Railway
Northern Trains
South Eastern
South Western Railway
Transpennine Express
Avanti West Coast
West Midlands Trains
GTR (including Gatwick Express)

Additionally, the NTIA stated it felt the strikes were “counterintuitive when the country is facing so many other challenges” and urged the rail and hospitality sectors to work together to get passengers back on the railways and in towns and cities to enjoy everything they have to offer.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "The rail industry and the Government need to understand this dispute will not simply vanish.

Continue our campaign

"They need to get serious about providing an offer on pay which helps deal with the cost-of-living crisis, job security for our members and provides good conditions at work.

"Recent proposals from Network Rail fell well short on pay and on safety around maintenance work.

“And the train operating companies have not even made us a pay offer in recent negotiations.

"We remain open for talks, but we will continue our campaign until we reach a negotiated settlement."