2022–present United Kingdom railway strikes
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The 2022–2024 United Kingdom railway strikes are an industrial dispute in the United Kingdom between rail workers and companies, with the latter supported by the UK government. The rail workers are represented by several unions including the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF). The railway strikes commenced on 21 June 2022 after workers walked out over wages, planned changes to working practices – involving the removal of guards from trains, the reduction in the number of open ticket offices, and an increase in the age at which people could claim the young persons and senior citizen card – and the threat of redundancies. The industrial action was the largest in the sector since 1989, and involved 40,000 workers nationwide.
United Kingdom railway strikes | |||
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Part of 2021–present United Kingdom cost-of-living crisis | |||
Date | 21 June 2022 (2022-06-21) – present (1 year, 11 months and 2 weeks) | ||
Location | England Scotland and Wales (until May 2023) Northern Ireland (December 2023 - February 2024) | ||
Status | Ongoing | ||
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Lead figures | |||
Prime ministers: General secretaries: |
The dispute took place amid political interference by the UK government, which intervened to prevent resolutions between the companies and workers in England. They were unable to block a deal in Scotland and Wales as transport is devolved in those jurisdictions; as a result the disputes in Scotland and Wales were resolved by the RMT in December 2022, and by ASLEF in May 2023.[1][2] The RMT has alleged that the interventions were in order to pass laws to restrict industrial action. During the period several anti-union laws were passed including the "minimum service" law.[3] The RMT dispute was ultimately resolved across most of England in November 2023. As of April 2024[update], the RMT dispute remains active in London, while the ASLEF dispute is active across all of England. No negotiations have taken place on the latter since Spring 2023.[4]
In April 2024, Labour announced plans to renationalise passenger rail services and "reset" industrial relations should it win the upcoming General Election.[5][6][7]