Downing Street condemns proposed rail strikes as ‘act of self-harm’

Downing Street has condemned this month’s proposed rail strikes across the UK as “selfish”, “an act of self-harm” and “thoroughly irresponsible”, as negotiations continue to try to avert the worst disruption on the network for a third of a century.

The RMT union announced on Tuesday that 40,000 members at 13 train operating companies and infrastructure owner Network Rail would take industrial action on June 21, 23 and 25. The union is protesting against low pay and proposed job cuts.

The union also announced a strike on the London Underground on June 21.

Number 10 said the government would not be deterred from its plans to make the railways more efficient, adding that the union’s plans would cause “pain and economic disruption on their fellow citizens in really tough times”. A spokesperson said the network had lost a quarter of its passengers since the Covid pandemic and warned that the strikes would drive away more customers and “kill services and jobs”.

The government effectively nationalised the industry during the pandemic to prevent catastrophic losses. Since then, a shift towards more people working from home has meant a lingering reduction in passenger volumes.

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the industry, urged the union, Network Rail and the operators to intensify ongoing talks to try to head off the disruption, which could cause chaos for commuters and those attending events including the Glastonbury festival in Somerset and England cricket Test match against New Zealand in Leeds.

Industry bosses have admitted that the network will in effect be disrupted for most of the week and that freight will be prioritised to ensure supply chains continue to function.

One train operating company said it expected to run about 20 to 30 per cent of its timetable on strike days.

The RMT said the government had failed to make any concrete proposals that could halt the industrial action. Mick Lynch, general secretary, said bosses had been paid millions of pounds during the pandemic. “Railway workers have been treated appallingly and despite our best efforts in negotiations, the rail industry with the support of the government has failed to take their concerns seriously.”

The RMT’s announcement comes against a backdrop of rising industrial unrest, as inflation erodes workers’ earnings and many employers are struggling to fill vacancies. The CWU communication workers’ union warned on Tuesday that a pay dispute at Royal Mail could also be heading towards a ballot on nationwide strike action. On Monday 500 workers at British Airways began voting on whether to strike in a row about pay.