UK Rail Advisory: RMT workers prepare for 3 days of strike action

Following a breakdown in negotiations, strikes are set to take place on the 21st, 23rd and 25th June as 50,000 rail workers take part in the biggest rail union dispute since 1989, action that will likely have an impact on UK container transport.

The RMT union has organised the strikes in response to the Network Rail and train operators freezing pay rises, working conditions which are seen as poor and plans to cut thousands of jobs having been made known, to which concerns for safety conditions across the network have been raised. During recent negotiations, the union did not receive a counter pay proposal nor a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies for network staff, so has called to strike.

Although rail only makes up 10-12% of the UK's transport movements, it is likely that the road network will come under strain, especially in the north of England, as increased volumes are moved via alternative methods.

In a statement from Mick Lynch, RMT General Secretary, he said "Our union will now embark on a sustained campaign of industrial action which will shut down the railway system".

Without a new 'meaningful' proposal, Lynch has warned there could be months of disruption.

We will update as the situation develops. If you have any immediate concerns regarding your supply chain during these strikes, please contact the team here.