June 23, 2022
3 mins read

TUC Turns heat on Boris& Team

The TUC is calling on the government to stop inflaming the dispute by refusing to aid negotiations, insisting on imposing cuts, and threatening to revoke workers’ legal rights…reports Asian Lite News

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Britain’s largest workers’ forum, is calling on the Westminster government to adopt a positive role in the rail dispute instead of “inflaming tensions” and threatening to revoke workers’ legal rights.

The RMT workers are on three-day strike this week. Rail workers in Wales have reached agreements with rail operators on pay and job protections. And in Scotland there is meaningful negotiation taking place. But the TUC says this opportunity has been blocked for other rail workers by ministers in Westminster, who insist on imposing cuts rather than negotiating a future for rail that benefits both rail travellers and staff.

And last week the Transport Minister Grant Shapps undermined a negotiated outcome by threatening to change the law so that employers can draft in agency workers in place of their workforce during industrial action – a proposal reminiscent of the action taken by P&O.

Rail workers have already had their pay frozen for the last two years, at a time when most other workers got nominal pay rises. And many of the rail workers who will be taking industrial action are on low pay, so will be hit particularly hard by real terms pay losses worth thousands of pounds.

The TUC is calling on the government to stop inflaming the dispute by refusing to aid negotiations, insisting on imposing cuts, and threatening to revoke workers’ legal rights.

“The government has the power to help end this dispute,” said TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady. “But rather than working in good faith to find a negotiated settlement, ministers are inflaming tensions and trying to pitch worker against worker. Instead of threatening to do a P&O on these workers and rip up their rights, ministers should be getting people around the table to help agree a fair deal.”

Outlining why workers are taking action, Frances added: “Nobody takes strike action lightly. But rail staff have been left with no other option. Many rail staff who will be hit hardest – such as caterers and cleaners – are on low and average earnings. It’s insulting to ask them to take yet another real-terms pay cut when rail companies took £500 million in profits during the pandemic. If these cuts go ahead thousands of safety-critical and frontline jobs will be lost, with train services at risk too. We need a better vison for the future of rail than commuters packed on unsafe trains like sardines.”

Under government pressure to cut spending, Network Rail plans to cut annual expenditure by £100 million, mainly through the loss of 2,500 rail maintenance jobs. RMT analysis of Network Rail data finds that this will lead to 670,000 fewer hours of maintenance work annually. Network Rail responsibilities include track maintenance – essential to avoiding accidents fatal like Hatfield, which was the result of the metal tracks fatiguing. Network Rail is also responsible for maintaining signals to ensure trains are on time and prevent collisions, for the electricity supply to the network, and for the safe upkeep of buildings including public spaces like the UK’s largest rail stations.

ALSO READ-By-elections pose fresh threat to Boris

Previous Story

Indians barred from ‘high potential’ visas for UK

Next Story

Gallery: ILA Berlin Air Show

Latest from -Top News

Uyghurs Face ‘More Repression, No Relief’

CFU stressed that, instead of addressing the UN’s recommendations, Beijing has escalated its repression…reports Asian Lite News On August 31, 2025, Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) marked the third anniversary of the United

Afghan Quake Toll Hits 1,457

More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed due to earthquake as international aid agencies struggle to reach people in remote areas…reports Asian Lite News The death toll from the powerful earthquake that

Xi, Putin, Kim conspiring against US, says Trump

Trump accused Xi of “conspiring against” America after hosting Putin and Kim at Beijing’s largest military parade….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump unleashed a sharp rebuke at Chinese President Xi

Al Zeer clinches UAE President’s Cup glory

Al Zeer stormed to a dramatic victory at Waregem Racecourse, clinching the UAE President’s Cup in Belgium, showcasing the UAE’s equestrian heritage and global sporting vision….reports Asian Lite News Before nearly 50,000

India, UAE chase $100b trade dream

India and the UAE reaffirmed their CEPA partnership, setting a $100 billion non-oil trade target by 2030, with strong focus on energy, food, healthcare, and technology….reports Asian Lite News India and the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UK Royals Celebrate NHS Anniversary

In a personal message, the Queen said NHS staff across

Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters stage events across Britain

At least 193 Palestinians have been killed since the cease-fire