Train strikes: Threat to Eurovision and FA Cup final as new dates are revealed | UK News

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Two union disputes with prepare working corporations are to end in recent strikes – together with on the times of the Eurovision Tune Contest and FA Cup finals.

The RMT union, which settled a pay row with Network Rail final month, mentioned it will launch motion throughout 14 prepare operators on Saturday 13 Might – the day Liverpool hosts Eurovision’s predominant occasion on behalf of war-torn Ukraine – after the breakdown of talks.

Its government had been discussing a brand new provide from the Rail Supply Group (RDG), which represents the businesses.

The RMT claimed the operators had “torpedoed” the negotiating course of.

A banner promoting the Eurovision Song Contest near The Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, Merseyside
Picture:
Liverpool was chosen to host the Eurovision closing as a result of final 12 months’s winner, Ukraine, is unable to

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An announcement explaining its place learn: “Following additional discussions between the union and RDG, the employer issued a clarification on the provide RMT has been contemplating.

“The RDG is now saying they’d solely implement the first-year fee of 5% if the union terminated its industrial mandate, which means no additional strike motion may happen.

“Stage 2 discussions that are a part of the provide made by the employer would then have to start with out the union having any industrial leverage on the negotiating desk.”

RMT members on a picket line outside Edinburgh's Waverley Station
Picture:
RMT prompt there have been new situations connected to the pay provide that had been unacceptable

It additionally confirmed that its members on the operators – together with Avanti West Coast, which covers Eurovision hosts Liverpool – had been being re-balloted in a bid to increase their strike mandate by an extra six months.

An RDG spokesperson responded: “Extra strike motion is completely pointless and can solely heap extra stress on an trade already going through an acute monetary disaster.

“Senselessly concentrating on each the ultimate of Eurovision and the FA cup closing is disappointing for all these planning to attend.”

Earlier on Thursday, three days of strikes by drivers had been introduced by Aslef – together with on the day of the FA Cup closing.

The choice to take industrial motion adopted the union’s rejection of a pay provide from 16 prepare corporations.

The dates Aslef introduced had been Friday 12 Might, Wednesday 31 Might, and Saturday 3 June – the latter on the day of the soccer cup closing and the Epsom Derby.

Aslef’s common secretary Mick Whelan mentioned: “Our government committee met this morning and rejected a risible proposal we acquired from a stress group which represents a few of the prepare corporations.

“The proposal – of simply 4% – was clearly not designed to be accepted, as inflation remains to be operating north of 10% and our members at these corporations haven’t had a rise for 4 years.”

In addition to strikes, Aslef mentioned it will withdraw non-contractual time beyond regulation from 15 Might to twenty Might and once more on 13 Might and 1 June.

The commercial motion introduced at the moment will have an effect on a few of the UK’s greatest prepare corporations, together with Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London North Japanese Railway and South Western Railway.

Mr Whelan mentioned the union “don’t need to go on strike” however added the “blame for this motion lies, pretty and squarely, on the ft of the employers who’ve compelled our hand over this by their intransigence”.

“It’s now as much as them to give you a extra wise, and sensible, provide and we ask the federal government to not hinder this course of,” he mentioned.

Learn extra:
Striking RMT rail workers offered fresh deal from rail firms
Sunak’s strikes nightmare is far from over

Transport Secretary Mark Harper mentioned: “It’s deeply disappointing that Aslef has determined to name strikes and ban time beyond regulation, concentrating on hundreds of individuals attending the UK’s first Eurovision occasion in 25 years – together with Ukrainians displaced by Putin’s struggle – and the primary ever all-Manchester FA Cup closing.

“The truthful and cheap provide from the RDG included pressing reform to make sure our railways are financially sustainable for the good thing about passengers, rail employees and the taxpayer in addition to delivering a pay rise – for members whose wage already averages £60,000 a 12 months.

“Aslef must name off these strikes and provides their members a say on this provide.”

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