October rail strikes: Thousands more workers to walk out next month as long-running dispute continues
The action, combined with walk outs by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union and Aslef, threatens a complete shutdown of the UK's rail system the day before the London Marathon and the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
Friday 23 September 2022 12:35, UK
Thousands more rail workers will strike next month as a long-running dispute over pay and conditions continues to cause industrial unrest across the country.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) announced thousands of its workers and a number of train operators will walk out on 1 October.
The statement came shortly after Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng told MPs the government is planning to stop "militant" trade unions closing down the transport system.
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On the same day, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and Aslef are striking as well, risking a complete shutdown of the UK's rail system the day before the London Marathon and the opening of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
Stoppages are also being held on 5, 6 and 8 October, which will include walk outs by staff working in ticket offices, stations and control rooms as well.
The RMT said the strike on 8 October will affect its members at Network Rail and 15 train operators.
Unite has said its members employed in Network Rail's electric control rooms will also take part in strikes on 1, 5 and 8 October.
After the Queen's death on 8 September, TSSA cancelled strike dates scheduled for the September month.
'They prove their worth time and time again'
The union has called for a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies, a pay rise to cope with the cost of living crisis and no changes to terms and conditions that have not been pre-agreed.
General secretary Manuel Cortes said: "We do not take this action lightly. We would much rather find a fair negotiated solution to this now long-running dispute, but we simply have no choice.
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"Our members recently stepped up to the plate yet again and went above and beyond to meet unprecedented demand during the period of public mourning to provide additional services and keep the public safe, much like they did during the pandemic.
"They prove their worth time and time again and yet they are still undervalued. It is time for train operators to meet us round the table and reach fair solutions."
Rail is just one sector that has been affected by strikes this year, with Royal Mail workers, dock workers, barristers, and BT employees also carrying out industrial action.
On Friday, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced that the government will "legislate" to require unions to put pay offers to member vote to make sure strikes can only be called once negotiations have "genuinely broken down".