This week, 40,000 rail workers joined Britain in the largest nationwide rail strike in 30 years. On Thursday, the RMT union enters its second day of industrial action, which will see train services suspended across the UK. The union argues that railroad workers, like many workers, are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
In PMQs on Wednesday, Boris Johnson claimed it was not the government’s place to interfere in talks between Network Rail, train operators and the union. He said it was “up to the railway companies to negotiate. That is their job.” But is it that easy? Transport correspondent for The Guardian and Observer, white tophamtells noshin iqbal How has the dispute progressed so far, and what will it take for the two sides to come to an agreement.
Columnist and senior economics commentator for The Guardian, Aditya ChakrabortyExplains what the strike reveals about the cost of life crisis and the political moment we are in. They argue that this is just the beginning, and workers in other industries will soon follow.
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