Hospitality to feel 'crushing weight' of weekend rail strikes
The RMT Union has announced that industrial action will take place on Saturday 26 August and Saturday 2 September.
The ASLEF Union has also announced strike action for Friday 1 September and also ‘action short of a strike’ on Saturday 2 September.
Events taking place this weekend include Notting Hill Carnival and the Reading & Leeds Festival. The trade body believes festival-goers will be left in “chaos” while navigating a limited transport network.
NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “Industrial action has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond mere inconvenience. The night-time economy and hospitality sector, already struggling to recover from the economic setbacks of the pandemic, are now staring down the barrel of a staggering £3.5bn loss in trade since the start of the industrial action.”
'Enough is enough'
He added that every pub, restaurant, and entertainment venue that relies on the vibrancy of events like the Carnival and festivals will feel the “crushing weight” of this “avoidable action” by unions.
“Enough is enough", said Kill. He continued: “The prolonged standoff over pay and working conditions is nothing short of an affront to the hardworking people of this nation. While trade union leaders fight on, the ordinary citizens and businesses who depend on these services are left stranded, their lives and livelihoods in the hands of very limited transport infrastructure.”
Call for action
He said: “We continue to demand an immediate end to the industrial action this weekend. The interests of the public need to come first, as each industrial action resonates far beyond the confines of their workplace disputes, affecting every corner of our society.
“We call on the trade unions, rail service providers and Government to step up, resolve their differences, call off the action this weekend and ensure that our Bank Holiday weekend and iconic events remain unscathed.
“The public deserves better than to be held hostage by the actions of a few. The time for negotiation and compromise is now, and the consequences of continued inaction will be dire.”
