Brits will suffer more travel misery next month as RMT workers confirm THREE additional strike dates for August.
As unions continue their wrangling for better pay and working conditions, many Britons could see their summer holiday plans scuppered.
Strikes are due to start on August 13, 18 and 20, threatening to plunge the UK’s rails into lockout.
The news comes just days after SEVEN rail companies closed most of Britain’s rail services, leaving roads jammed with traffic.
More summer holiday trouble could also be on the way, with EasyJet pilots in Spain set to strike for nine days in August.
Meanwhile, on Sunday Avanti West Coast warned passengers that drivers are on an “unofficial strike”.
The operator urged customers to check timetables “until further notice” and warned that the disruption would likely lead to further misery and travel disruptions.
Read our live travel delays blog below for the latest news and updates…
-
A flight disruption is coming
Ryanair flight attendants have been on strike throughout July and are now planning five more months of strike action.
The low-cost airline’s layoffs will begin on August 8 and will continue every week until January 7.
Tin Spanish airports will be affected, including Madrid, Malaga, Barcelona, Alicante, Seville, Palma, Valencia, Girona, Santiago de Compostela and Ibiza.
-
Make sure your travel insurance covers you
Although Brits have their GHIC or EHIC cards, it’s also vital to have travel insurance, even if you’re just going to Europe.
Travel insurance is needed for a number of issues beyond your control, such as being stranded if your flight is canceled or your airline loses your luggage.
Not only that, but large medical bills won’t be covered unless you have travel insurance, as long as the policy includes it.
Here are the nine things travel insurance will NOT cover you for.
-
Tip: Travel with hand luggage only
If you can avoid checking your luggage, this can also make your holiday easier if you can meet the liquid rules.
This means you can go straight to security if you’ve printed your boarding pass online.
It also means that if you have any connections, it’s less likely to get lost somewhere between flights.
Just make sure you’re at the front of the queue for your flight if you do, as some airlines have limited overhead bin space.
Here are some of our top tips for traveling with carry-on only.
-
Check airport advice before you travel
Depending on the airport you are traveling to, different advice is being given about what time you will arrive.
Most UK airports advise tourists to arrive three hours before check-in.
However, last-minute issues such as baggage delays are also causing problems: some airports let travelers leave their bags the night before to avoid morning queues.
You should also check how you get to the airport, after a series of rail strikes, and consider getting an airport hotel the night before.
-
How to request a refund of train tickets
If you were one of the many affected by yesterday’s strikes you can apply for a refund on your Southeastern tickets.
Unused tickets can be refunded if successful after application.
We’re sorry if the recent industrial action has upset you.
You can request a refund for unused tickets, and if you traveled and were delayed by 15 minutes or more, you can request a delay refund.
For refund and refund delay information: pic.twitter.com/Y5kwFv8XO4
— Southeast (@Se_Railway) July 31, 2022
-
Which train companies are part of RMT
With more strikes coming this August, it will be important to know which rail services are on strike.
So here is a list of RMT partner train companies.
The RMT strike companies are:
- Railway network
- Next West Coast
- c2c
- Chiltern Railways
- Cross-country trains
- East Midlands Railway
- Great Western Railway
- Great Anglia
- GTR (including Gatwick Express)
- LNER
- Northern trains
- South East
- South Western Railway
- Transpennine Express
- West Midlands Trains
-
Could there be a general strike?
Over the past week, rail workers, pilots and BT employees have downed tools in a bid to win higher wages and better working conditions.
Next week, postal workers will also reveal whether there are strikes, so could we be in for a general strike?
The last time a general strike occurred was in 1926, and is described as “the stoppage of work by a substantial proportion of workers in various industries in an organized effort to achieve economic or political objectives.”
However, as things stand, a general strike is highly unlikely.
Only RMT boss Mike Lynch has suggested it could happen, in response to Liz Truss’ plans to ban strike action, but he is only in charge of 80,000 workers.
-
EasyJet pilot strike to wreak havoc on Britons’ summer holiday plans
Spain-based EasyJet pilots are on strike for nine days in August as they demand better pay and working conditions.
“We are disappointed with this action at this critical time for the industry,” the airline said in response to the strike action.
This news is likely to cause chaos for Brits as they look to get out on their summer holidays.
-
Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak vow to ban strike action if elected
Potential leaders of both Conservative parties have pledged to ban public sector strikes if elected.
It’s an effort to avoid days like today, when Britons’ travel plans have been thrown into chaos as they can’t use the rail.
Critics of the policy point to the strike’s successes, such as the weekend and the minimum wage.
-
Strikes planned in August
Rail strikes are likely to continue to affect Britons over the next month, with RMT planning action on these dates:
- August 13
- August 18
- August 20
-
Baron Union calls Shapps a liar about the negotiations
The Aslef trade union has described the Transport Secretary as a “liar” regarding the railway negotiations.
Grant Shapps had written in The Times: “The ‘two Micks’, RMT’s Lynch and Aslef’s Whelan, are taking the taxpayer for a ride, but not in the way they are intended.
“RMT is stalling reform and Aslef is dragging its feet on negotiations while both are calling for more strikes. Enough.”
Guardian Online reports that Whelan responded:
“I say Mr. Shapps is lying, plain and simple.
“We are not dragging our feet in the negotiations, we negotiate with 14 private companies, we do not work for the government or the DfT. [Department for Transport].”
“I wish Mr Shapps would get us out of this catch-22 situation which he misrepresents at every opportunity.”
-
EasyJet pilot strike to wreak havoc on Britons’ summer holiday plans
Spain-based EasyJet pilots are on strike for nine days in August as they demand better pay and working conditions.
“We are disappointed with this action at this critical time for the industry,” the airline said in response to the strike action.
This news is likely to cause chaos for Brits as they look to get out on their summer holidays.
-
A flight disruption is coming
Ryanair flight attendants have been on strike throughout July and are now planning five more months of strike action.
The low-cost airline’s layoffs will begin on August 8 and will continue every week until January 7.
Tin Spanish airports will be affected, including Madrid, Malaga, Barcelona, Alicante, Seville, Palma, Valencia, Girona, Santiago de Compostela and Ibiza.
-
Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak vow to ban strike action if elected
Potential leaders of both Conservative parties have pledged to ban public sector strikes if elected.
It’s an effort to avoid days like today, when Britons’ travel plans have been thrown into chaos as they can’t use the rail.
Critics of the policy point to the strike’s successes, such as the weekend and the minimum wage.
-
What can Britons expect today?
- Most services will function normally
- London Overground services will return to a good service at 09:00
- If you are traveling on London Overground before midday, please plan ahead, check your journey and allow more time for your journey
-
Man arrested for “murder” at the train station
A MAN has been arrested for murder at a train station after a passenger was attacked on a platform.
Police rushed to Reading train station to find the injured man on platform eight shortly before midnight last night.
The victim later died at Berkshire Hospital.
Another man, whose age has not been confirmed, was arrested for murder.
It is understood the two men had an altercation on the train before the victim was attacked on the platform.
Thames Valley Police has urged anyone with information to come forward.
-
Make sure your travel insurance covers you
Although Brits have their GHIC or EHIC cards, it’s also vital to have travel insurance, even if you’re just going to Europe.
Travel insurance is needed for a number of issues beyond your control, such as being stranded if your flight is canceled or your airline loses your luggage.
Not only that, but large medical bills won’t be covered unless you have travel insurance, as long as the policy includes it.
Here are the nine things travel insurance will NOT cover you for.
-
Heavy delays on the Central Line
TFL has stated that there are severe delays on the Central Line today due to train cancellations.
They said: “The service is running to all destinations at a reduced frequency due to train cancellations.
“If no service is shown, take the first train and change if necessary.
“Tickets are being accepted on London buses.
“Trains run as follows: West Ruislip – North Acton, every 20 mins. Hainault – Ealing Broadway via Newbury Park, every 10 mins. Epping – Leytonstone, every 20 mins. Hainault – Woodford via Grange Hill, every 30 mins. “
-
Strikes planned in August
Rail strikes are likely to continue to affect Britons over the next month, with RMT planning action on these…