British rail unions threaten UK general strike

Unions are tightening their tone in the fight for higher pay and job security on British railways. National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) general secretary Mick Lynch has threatened a general strike if the government significantly restricts the right to strike as announced. Lynch says it was “the biggest protest of the entire union movement” in history.

The RMT and train drivers’ union Aslef have called on their members to strike at state-owned Network Rail and several private railway companies. On Wednesday, 40,000 workers were laid off, causing traffic problems across the country. The drivers went on strike on Saturday. Both unions have called for a multi-day strike in August as well. They are clearly demanding higher wages and job security. Aslef’s Mick Whelan says, ‘We like increases in line with longevity Guardian“We want to buy in 2022 what we can buy in 2021.”

But the British government is refusing to participate in the talks. The Transport Minister has slammed Grand Shops unions as ‘militant’ and wants to allow strike-hit firms to hire cheap labor at short notice. Liz Truss, the foreign secretary and favorite to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister, has announced she wants to break the power of the unions. “Travelers being held hostage by militant groups is absolutely wrong,” Truss secretary said on Tuesday. Guardian. “I will take strong action against union actions that do not help people get ahead in life.”

The ‘lis trus’ proposals were the biggest attack on unionism and civil liberties since unions were legalized in 1871. Truss proposes to outlaw effective trade unionism in Britain and strip working people of an important democratic right. According to a British newspaper. Trades Union Congress (TUC) leader Francis O’Grady also told the Financial Times on Thursday that a Conservative government would attack workers’ basic rights.

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Opposition parties have also drawn the ire of unions. Shadow transport minister Sam Darry was sacked by Labor leader Keir Starmer after he attended the RMT strike and criticized government policies on behalf of Labor in a broadcast interview. By publishing reports on wages and inflation that do not fit within Labor Party lines, Tarry writes, he would have crossed the line. Guardian. Labor always claims to be on the side of Labour, but insists that the activities of top politicians are subject to contracts. The unions were disaffected.

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