Transport and industry

The transport secretary has denied a union's claim that he "wrecked" strike talks, saying it is a "total lie". Rail workers will walk out on Thursday after Network Rail and the RMT union failed to make a breakthrough in negotiations to avoid a second day of industrial action this week. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch laid the blame at the door of Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, saying he ruined talks by "not allowing Network Rail to withdraw their letter threatening redundancy for 2,900 of our members". Mr Lynch said disruption would continue until the union secures a deal that "delivers job security and a pay rise for our members that deals with the escalating cost-of-living crisis". Mr Shapps said the RMT's claim was a "total lie" and he had "nothing to do" with withdrawing the letter in question. Advertisement Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:03 Second day of strike action looms Read more: … [Read more...] about Rail strikes: Transport secretary denies ‘total lie’ he ‘wrecked’ RMT talks as second day of industrial action looms

A second day of industrial action looms as the transport secretary denies claims he "wrecked" strike talks - calling it a "total lie". Rail workers will walk out today after Network Rail and the RMT union failed to make a breakthrough in negotiations to avoid a second day of industrial action this week. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch laid the blame at the door of Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, saying he ruined talks by "not allowing Network Rail to withdraw their letter threatening redundancy for 2,900 of our members". Mr Lynch said disruption would continue until the union secures a deal that "delivers job security and a pay rise for our members that deals with the escalating cost-of-living crisis". Mr Shapps said the RMT's claim was a "total lie" and he had "nothing to do" with withdrawing the letter in question. Advertisement Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:03 Second day of strike action looms … [Read more...] about Rail strikes: Second day of industrial action looms as transport secretary denies ‘total lie’ he ‘wrecked’ RMT talks

Katie Piper has shared her thoughts on the current transport strikes in London, saying that 'the wrong people suffer' the consequences. The Loose Women star, 38, shared her sympathies with the hard-working London railway staff during Monday's instalment of the ITV panel show, however, the author and TV presenter also shed light on the domino effect which the strikes are set to bring about. It comes as Rail and Tube staff across are expected to strike in Britain’s most widespread industrial action this century, reducing services by around 80 per cent. The strikes, which will take place in the coming week, will be in protest of working conditions, redundancies and pensions. Katie suggested that the strikers should keep the sick people of the UK in their thoughts amid the crisis People are being advised not to travel on strike days, and they have also been warned that services will be disrupted for the rest of the week. In response to the strikes, the Loose Women … [Read more...] about Loose Women’s Katie Piper says ‘the wrong people suffer’ amid London transport strikes

Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The government has announced plans to change the law to enable employers to use agency staff to cover staffing gaps during strikes. Ministers say the measure, which needs Parliament's approval, would limit the impact of future strikes. But opposition parties and unions have criticised the plan, arguing it would undermine pay and working conditions. It comes as rail strikes in Britain resumed after talks between unions and rail bosses broke down on Wednesday. Rail workers are holding their second strike this week - the largest action of its kind in decades - in a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions, with just 20% of services expected to run. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union is calling for a pay rise of at least 7% to offset the cost of living crisis, but employers have offered a maximum of 3%, on … [Read more...] about Rail strike: Law change would allow agency staff to cover industrial action

Thousands of people with weekend plans will face disruption as rail workers strike for the third day this week. Only a fifth of services will run and half of lines will be closed as 40,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 13 train operators walk out. Rail strike latest: Only a fifth of services are running and half of lines are closed Many people were able to avoid the havoc during the first two days of the strikes - Tuesday and Thursday - by working from home. But for those with long-standing plans to travel by train for weekend events, this will not be an option. Advertisement Popular seaside resorts - such as Bournemouth, Blackpool, Margate, Llandudno, and Skegness - will have no rail services. And even the services that are running will only operate between 7.30am and 6.30pm, with several major stations such as Birmingham New Street, Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly closing at 7pm. … [Read more...] about Rail strikes: Third day of industrial action set to cause weekend disruption – with no trains running in some popular seaside towns

London Underground workers have reaffirmed their backing for industrial action in a dispute over jobs, pay, pensions and conditions. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have taken strike action in recent weeks, including a 24-hour walkout on Tuesday. By law, the RMT had to reballot its members, with the union saying there was a “decisive” result in favour. More than 90% of those who voted backed industrial action on a 53.1% turnout. Recommended By-election live: Tory party chairman quits RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This is a fantastic result for our members and proves that the arguments RMT has been making is endorsed by Tube workers. “Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London need to seriously re-think their plans for hundreds of job cuts and trying to take hard-earned pensions from workers who serve the people of London on a daily basis. “We are acutely aware of the funding cuts being foisted on … [Read more...] about Tube workers reaffirm backing for industrial action

Published 5 May Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The Unite Union, which represents classroom assistants, is to extend its industrial action over pay. The strike was due to end on Monday but the Education Authority has confirmed a further period of action will start on the 11 May until the beginning of June. Some parents, whose children attend special schools, have voiced concerns. Johanne Meredith, whose 12-year-old son is at Glenveagh Special School in Belfast said she was at breaking point. "He really enjoys everything about going to Glenveagh. He enjoys getting the taxi in the morning," she said. "He has lovely staff that go with him as he has difficulties going on the bus," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme. "He gets access to his speech therapist, his OT and some physio," she said. There are 39 special schools in Northern … [Read more...] about Unite strike: Industrial action over pay dispute to continue

Sir Keir Starmer has "not lost control of his MPs" after dozens turned out to show support for striking rail workers in defiance of his instructions, a Labour frontbencher has insisted. Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said that "a serious party of government does not join picket lines". The Labour leader has faced criticism for failing to give his unequivocal support to the industrial action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union over jobs, pay and conditions. Anxious to avoid fuelling Tory claims that Labour backed the disruptive walkouts, Sir Keir has sought to blame the government and argued he did not want strikes to go ahead as he pressed for negotiated settlement. But deputy leader Angela Rayner gave her clear backing to the industrial action, arguing workers had been "left with no choice". Advertisement Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also distanced himself from Sir Keir's position by heading to a picket line to show … [Read more...] about Rail strikes: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has ‘not lost control of his MPs’ over industrial action, says shadow cabinet member

Published 4 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The bus industry in Wales is to receive an extra £48m from the Welsh government to help it recover from the pandemic and cope with rising running costs. Ministers say the "gap funding" until next April will allow operators to keep vital services running. Passenger numbers fell by about 90% during the Covid crisis, with services maintained through increased subsidies. Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters said passenger figures are now between 50 to 70% of pre-Covid levels. The Welsh government said it had now provided more than £150m of additional funding to the industry in total since the start of the pandemic. Opposition Conservatives said they doubted the extra money would reverse a "deterioration in services", while Plaid Cymru called for improvements to make buses a viable form of transport across all … [Read more...] about Extra £48m for Covid pandemic-hit Welsh bus industry

The UK automotive industry suffered its worst June for new car sales since 1996. Registrations of new vehicles fell by 24.3% last month compared with June 2021, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Global shortages of components such as semiconductors continue to hamper manufacturers’ ability to fulfil demand, with 141,000 new cars registered in June, the trade body said. Drivers are having to wait more than 12 months to take delivery of some models. Recommended Over £130m handed to housing providers named and shamed by regulator Only 802,000 new cars were sold during the first half of the year. That was an 11.9% reduction compared with the same period in 2021, and represents the industry’s weakest January-June performance since 1992, except for 2020, which was affected by the coronavirus pandemic. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “The semiconductor shortage is stifling the new car market even more than … [Read more...] about Car industry suffers worst June since 1996