Families and travelers in the UK should prepare for major disruptions as summer comes to an end. This is due to new strikes of train drivers and Border Force employees.
Separately announced by Aslef and Public and Commercial Services unions (PCS), the industrial action is set to cause major disruptions in transport, especially on the East Coast Mainline operated by LNER and at several Heathrow Airport terminals.
Strikes occur at the end of summer, when families plan to travel.
Aslef announced that it would target one of Britain’s most busy rail lines, while PCS’s strike will affect Heathrow, one of world’s largest airports.
LNER drivers to strike over 11 weekends
Every Saturday, from August 31, to November 9 and every Sunday, from September 1, to October 10, there will be strikes on LNER trains.
Over the course of three months, there will be 22 days for strike action.
The strikes were part of a dispute that Aslef has been having with LNER over what Aslef calls a “breakdown of industrial relations”, and the management’s alleged violations of contracts.
This issue has not been referred to as part of the national wage dispute in which drivers were offered an increase in pay of 14 percent over a period three years.
Strikes are planned to disrupt East Coast Mainline which is a vital link between London King’s Cross, major cities of northern England, Scotland and Edinburgh including Glasgow, Newcastle and York.
There are few alternatives available for passengers who rely on these routes. They may experience significant delays or cancellations.
Other services such as Lumo or Grand Central Railway may be available to offer alternatives.
These alternatives, however, may not compensate passengers traveling to or from destinations that are less well served, especially if they travel by air.
Heathrow is affected by Border Force Staff Strike
The strike of hundreds Border Force agents at Heathrow Airport is set for August 31 through September 3, according to the PCS.
These strikes are occurring during the last weekend of summer vacations, which is a busy travel time for most families.
Heathrow will be affected by the strikes at several terminals, such as Terminals 2, 4, and 5. This could lead to delays and long queues for those arriving or leaving from Heathrow.
Heathrow Airport, while refusing to directly comment on the strike, has stated that prior PCS strike days in this year caused minimal disruption for passengers.
The impact of the strikes may be greater due to the large number of travelers expected at the end of summer.
PCS has stated that roster changes and changes in shift patterns are the main reasons behind the strike. They claim these changes force Border Force agents to choose between work and family responsibilities.
Fran Heathcote is the general secretary of the union. She stated that strikes were a reaction to the management’s unwillingness to be flexible and their excessive pressure on the staff.
Responses from industry and the government
Transport industry stakeholders and government have both expressed their disappointment with the strikes and called for an end to them.
LNER expressed its surprise and disappointment over the announcement of the strike, especially after recent “constructive discussions” it had with the union.
Although the company acknowledges that strikes are bound to cause delays and cancellations, it has pledged to do everything possible to minimise disruption to passengers.
Heathrow Airport has said that, while it is not directly involved with the negotiations of the strike, they will take measures to minimize the impact for travellers.
The Home Office is responsible for the resolution of the conflict, as it oversees the Border Force’s operations.
Home Office spokeswoman emphasized Border Force’s importance and committed to continue negotiations with PCS to achieve an agreement.
The Department for Transport on the Government side has asked both Aslef & LNER to come back to the table to negotiate and to resolve their disagreements in good faith.
In order to prevent further inconvenience to travelers, the government stressed that the industry must continue to recuperate from the COVID-19 epidemic.
The impact on the economy and travellers
Strikes are likely to impact travellers significantly, especially those who rely on LNER services and fly in or out of Heathrow at the time.
Many passengers face lengthy delays or cancellations due to the limited travel alternatives available. This can lead to missed flights, holidays that are cancelled, and many other disruptions.
Strikes also affect the UK economy in a broader sense, especially the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Kate Nicholls of UKHospitality has warned the LNER strike will negatively impact businesses in tourist hotspots like Newcastle, Edinburgh and York.
This disruption can lead to lost sales, and could put an even greater strain on industries that have already been hit hard by ongoing industrial actions.
Nicholls urged the parties involved to find a solution to the strike to prevent the negative impact.
Another round of strike action will prove to be frustrating, particularly for the hospitality industry. LNER trains are a crucial connection for travellers.
The upcoming end of the summer will cause travel chaos across the UK due to the strike announcements by the LNER train drivers and Border Force employees at Heathrow Airport.
As efforts continue to be made to resolve the disputes, it is advised that passengers plan ahead, make alternative arrangements for travel if possible and keep up to date with any new developments.
These strikes highlight the challenges that continue to face the UK transport industry, and the importance of dialogue and negotiations in order to avoid further disruptions.
The post UK Train Strikes: Here’s What You Need to Know may change as new information becomes available
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