On Saturday, train services will once again be severely limited due to a strike, making travel even more miserable for travellers.
The Epsom Derby, the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley, and other athletic and musical events all take place at the same time as the train drivers’ strike by the Aslef union.
Numerous football fans were advised against taking the railway to Wembley, forcing them to take the automobiles to London.
In connection with ongoing disagreements over compensation, jobs, and conditions, train drivers and RMT union members went on strike on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan has told the PA news agency there is “no waning in enthusiasm” from train drivers to continue taking industrial action.
“We are determined to get a resolution and remain in this for the long haul.
“It is time for the Government to step back from interference which is preventing a deal – drivers, in line with other workers, deserve a pay rise after four years without one and inflation running, over the last 12 months, north of 10%,” he said.
Approximately 40% of trains will run on Saturday, according to the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), although there will be significant regional differences, with some locations having no services.
The “dead hand” of the Government, according to Mr. Whelan, is impeding a settlement to the conflict.
A 4% salary increase for last year and another 4% for this year was referred to as a “dismal” offer by the speaker, who also noted that the union and the businesses or the government have not spoken in weeks.
On Saturday, picket lines will be set up in front of train stations all throughout the nation when drivers at 15 companies in England go on strike.
Tens of thousands of people, according to the RDG, are feeling “disappointment and frustration” as a result of the strikes.
“It will inconvenience families who have been looking forward and have planned their half-term holidays. It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.”
Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the RMT, has accused the government of “deliberately squandering” billions of pounds in a “futile war” against the rail unions.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “These strikes have been coordinated by union leaders to disrupt passengers in a week which will see major events such as the first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final, the Epsom Derby and a number of concerts and festivals across the UK.
“Not content with impacting the hundreds of thousands of people who have looked forward to these events all year round, unions are also targeting their own members’ pockets by forcing them to miss out on pay every time they strike.
“The Government has facilitated a fair and reasonable pay offer, now union leaders must do the right thing and put this to their members.”
