BR preparing to run expanded strike service: Sixth Wednesday stoppage set to go ahead
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BRITISH RAIL is expecting to run more than 20 per cent of the normal train timetable during the sixth 24-hour strike by signal workers, which starts at midnight tonight.
Railtrack was concentrating on improving the 3,000-train service that operated despite last Wednesday's stoppage as prospects of a settlement with the RMT transport union looked remote.
The company also started a 'hearts and minds' campaign among employees yesterday, promoting an offer which would yield an increase of 3 per cent in return for productivity improvements.
No fresh talks were in prospect, but both sides were expected to come under increasing pressure to get back to negotiations ahead of next week's stoppage, which is due to last from noon on Tuesday until noon on Thursday.
Union leaders have also called a 24-hour strike the following week and a two-day stoppage in the week beginning 7 August.
Jimmy Knapp, leader of the RMT transport workers' union, is expected to meet the chief railway inspector this week about safety infringements. He hopes to present allegations from train drivers in the Aslef union.
John MacGregor, Secretary of State for Transport, told the Commons yesterday he hoped the two sides could resume talks, adding that not all the issues 'have been thoroughly discussed and negotiated'. He warned: 'Escalating the strike to two days a week does look like a throwback to . . . the 1970s.'
Brian Wilson, Labour spokesman on transport, demanded assurances on safety during the strikes and expressed concern at signal boxes being manned by people who would not normally do the job.
One rail operator, InterCity Great Western, was offering cut- price fares as an incentive. It will sell pounds 10 standard day-return tickets for any off-peak service tomorrow and expects to run 80 per cent of its core routes linking London to Bristol, Plymouth or Cardiff.
Among routes likely to operate tomorrow for the first time during the strikes, or with greatly improved services are: London King's Cross to Peterborough on InterCity East Coast - 30 trains ran last Wednesday but it is hoped 54 will run this week; South Eastern's London Victoria and London Blackfriars to Gillingham and Chatham in Kent; South Eastern's 'Catford loop' linking Sevenoaks, Catford and Blackfriars; London Victoria to Sutton on Network SouthCentral.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments