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When are the train strikes and what is the dispute about? When are the train strikes and what is the dispute about?
(8 days later)
Extra rail strikes have been scheduled over the festive period, including Christmas Eve. Rail passengers are being warned of the near total shutdown of Britain's railways, with strikes continuing into Saturday.
The long-running dispute is over pay, job security and working conditions. Industrial action - part of a dispute over pay, job security and working conditions - is also planned over the festive period, including Christmas Eve.
What train strikes are due in December and January? What are the train strikes dates in December and January?
The RMT rail workers' union has announced strikes on:The RMT rail workers' union has announced strikes on:
Tuesday and Wednesday, 13-14 December
Friday and Saturday, 16-17 DecemberFriday and Saturday, 16-17 December
18:00 GMT Saturday, 24, until Tuesday, 27 December Saturday 24 (from 18:00 GMT) until Tuesday 27 December
Tuesday and Wednesday, 3-4 JanuaryTuesday and Wednesday, 3-4 January
Friday and Saturday, 6-7 January Friday and Saturday,6-7 January
Previous strikes by the RMT have had a major impact on services throughout England, Scotland and Wales.Previous strikes by the RMT have had a major impact on services throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Network Rail - which owns and repairs the railway infrastructure - says passengers should check their train-operating company's website and should only travel if absolutely necessary. Significant disruption is also likely on non-strike days during the week. Passengers should check their train-operating company's website and only travel if absolutely necessary.
It said half of the railways will be shut down on strike days, even if the strikes are called off last minute, because of the time it takes to return to a normal timetable. Network Rail - which owns and maintains the rails, signals and stations - says half of rail lines will be shut on strike days. Most of Scotland and Wales will have no trains running at all.
Only 20% of services will operate between the hours of 07:30 and 18:30 GMT, it added. Significant disruption is also likely on non-strike days.
Unite the Union will also strike - affecting East Midlands Railway - on 23 and 24 December.Unite the Union will also strike - affecting East Midlands Railway - on 23 and 24 December.
The train drivers' union, the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (Aslef), is also in a dispute over pay - although currently, no further walkouts are planned. The train drivers' union, Aslef, is also in a dispute over pay - although currently, no further walkouts are planned.
Rail workers set to strike on Christmas EveRail workers set to strike on Christmas Eve
Passengers warned not to travel by train next week
Which workers are allowed to go on strike?Which workers are allowed to go on strike?
When is the Eurostar strike?When is the Eurostar strike?
Security staff on the Eurostar train service are set to strike for four days in the run-up to Christmas. Security staff on the Eurostar train service were set to strike for four days in the run-up to Christmas.
The walkouts are planned for 16, 18, 22 and 23 December. The walkouts were planned for 16, 18, 22 and 23 December.
Eurostar said it would update customers as soon as possible if there was any impact on services. But the strikes on 16 and 18 December have been called off, while the RMT members consider a pay offer. The other strike days are still due to go ahead.
The RMT said the strike would "severely affect" passengers.The RMT said the strike would "severely affect" passengers.
Eurostar said its services will not run to and from St Pancras in London on Boxing Day due to the UK high-speed line being closed because of the strike action.
Eurostar security staff to strike before ChristmasEurostar security staff to strike before Christmas
Why have railway workers been on strike?Why have railway workers been on strike?
The unions are in dispute with the government and rail companies about pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions.The unions are in dispute with the government and rail companies about pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions.
Unions say any pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living.Unions say any pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living.
But the rail industry is under pressure to save money, after the pandemic left a hole in its finances. Bosses say reforms need to be agreed, to afford pay increases and modernise the railway.But the rail industry is under pressure to save money, after the pandemic left a hole in its finances. Bosses say reforms need to be agreed, to afford pay increases and modernise the railway.
Network Rail is planning to cut 1,900 jobs as part of changes to the way its maintenance teams work - although it insists most of this could be achieved by people leaving voluntarily.Network Rail is planning to cut 1,900 jobs as part of changes to the way its maintenance teams work - although it insists most of this could be achieved by people leaving voluntarily.
The RMT disagrees with some of the changes and wants a guarantee of no compulsory job losses.The RMT disagrees with some of the changes and wants a guarantee of no compulsory job losses.
The strikes taking place in DecemberThe strikes taking place in December
What deal have rail workers been offered?What deal have rail workers been offered?
On Monday, 5 December, the RMT rejected an offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) - which represents train companies - that included a: Network Rail made an offer of a 5% pay rise this year and a 4% pay rise in 2023.
pay increase of up to 8% over two years But RMT union boss Mick Lynch described the deal as "substandard" and its members have rejected it.
guarantee of no compulsory redundancies until April 2024 The union also rejected an offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) - which represents train companies. That included a pay increase of up to 8% over two years and a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies until April 2024.
In exchange, it wanted a number of changes to current working practices, including: In exchange, it wanted repurposing or closure of ticket offices and Sunday working.
repurposing or closing ticket offices
Sunday working where not already in place
The RMT said the proposals were unacceptable.
The RDG offer is separate to negotiations with Network Rail, which employs about half the workers in the dispute.The RDG offer is separate to negotiations with Network Rail, which employs about half the workers in the dispute.
Network Rail had also made an offer, including a pay rise of up to 9% over two years - but the union is urging members to reject it.
Union rejects offer to stop Christmas rail strikes
How much are rail workers paid?How much are rail workers paid?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has estimated the average salary of rail workers in 2022 as £45,919, based on five different job categories. If drivers are excluded, its estimate is £39,518. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has estimated the average salary of rail workers in 2022 as £45,919, based on five different job categories.
If drivers are excluded, its estimate is £39,518.
The RMT said that figure was still too high because it excluded rail cleaning staff who are not categorised as rail workers by the ONS.The RMT said that figure was still too high because it excluded rail cleaning staff who are not categorised as rail workers by the ONS.
Read more: How much are rail workers paid?Read more: How much are rail workers paid?
How will the rail strikes affect your journey? What alternative forms of transport are you using? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How will the rail strikes affect your journey? What alternative forms of transport are you using? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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