Brits, it looks like 2022’s summer of rail strikes is only just getting started. Following the three-day strike by the RMT earlier this month, another union is now balloting members on whether to take nationwide industrial action.
The union in question is the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), which represents a huge number of white-collar workers across the UK rail network. These range from roles in customer services and upper management to ticket offices and signalling.
The TSSA is looking for a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies this year and no changes to the terms and conditions of employees’ jobs, as well as a pay rise that reflects inflation rates and the rising cost of living.
If the strike goes ahead, it could affect a huge number of UK rail services. Union members working for Avanti, c2c, CrossCountry, East Midlands and LNER have all already voted to take strike action, while workers at Northern have voted to take action short of a strike.
And it could all be about to get even worse. TSSA members at Network Rail are currently voting on whether to take industrial action, with that ballot closing on Monday (July 11). In other words, hundreds more critical staff at railway operators across the UK could be walking out this summer.
A possible strike at Network Rail would almost certainly be the most disruptive. According to The Guardian, many TSSA managerial staff were brought in to keep Network Rail’s services running during the recent RMT strike. It’s thought that a coordinated strike by both the TSSA and RMT could therefore bring much of the UK’s rail network to a standstill. If Network Rail members vote to strike, it could happen as soon as July 25.
Of course, there is still the chance that, even if Network Rail members vote in favour of action, a strike won’t go ahead. Ballots in favour of strike action are often used as bargaining chips in negotiations between unions and employers. So here’s hoping the TSSA and all those rail operators reach an agreement before this summer’s transport chaos gets even worse, eh?
ICYMI: British Airways is scrapping another 1,000 flights this summer.
Plus: here are 10 ways to make sure you avoid holiday hell this summer.