Unite Network Rail members to join latest walkouts

Unite has confirmed that its members employed by Network Rail in electric control rooms will join their colleagues at other rail unions in taking industrial action as part of the latest planned walkouts.

The workers will take industrial action on the following dates: Tuesday 12 December, Wednesday 13 December, Friday 16 December, Saturday 17 December, Sunday 25 December, Monday 26 December, Tuesday 3 January, Wednesday 4 January, Friday 6 January and Saturday 7 January.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “It is totally unforgivable that the government thinks it is acceptable to implement a three year pay freeze on our members who play a critical role in keeping the rail network operating. That this is occurring during the worst cost of living crisis in living memory, doubles the injustice our members are experiencing.”

The workers, based at control rooms in Brighton, Derby, Paddock Wood, Raynes Park, Romford, Selhurst Park and York, play a vital role in controlling and managing the network’s power supply.

The workers have not received a pay increase for three years and are struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of living crisis and spiralling housing costs.

Unite national officer for rail Harish Patel added, “The only way that this dispute will be resolved is by Network Rail making a fair offer to its workforce.”

By Barckley Sumner