Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

When are the next rail strikes in September and which other workers alongside train staff are preparing to walk out?




Train passengers face further disruption this month as railway workers announce two more strikes for September.

Strikes or ballots for industrial action are being announced on an increasingly regular basis as workers across numerous sectors escalate their demands for better pay, amid grim forecasts over the cost of living crisis.

Two strikes in September are expected to cause huge disruption to train services
Two strikes in September are expected to cause huge disruption to train services

After a summer of rail strikes - which failed to lead to an agreement between rail bosses and workers - two further walkouts have been announced by unions representing transport staff and train drivers which are expected to cause considerable upheaval for travellers.

The first walkout - announced by drivers' union Aslef - will take place across 12 train operating companies on Thursday, September 15.

Lasting 24 hours, just like two similar bouts of action in July, the strike will include members working for Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Cross Country, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railways, Hull Trains, LNER, London Overground, Northern, Southeastern, Transpennine Express and West Midlands Trains.

Workers in numerous sectors are demanding better pay as inflation rockets
Workers in numerous sectors are demanding better pay as inflation rockets

The union, which claims most train drivers haven't seen a pay increase since 2019 that means workers are now experiencing a hefty pay cut as a result of inflation, is demanding better wages and conditions for its members.

Following train drivers, will be union members from the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), based at nine rail companies and Network Rail, which are expected to walkout from noon on Monday, September 26 for 24 hours leading to disruption on services across the country.

Picket lines and strike ballots are expected across September as workers walk out in disputes over pay
Picket lines and strike ballots are expected across September as workers walk out in disputes over pay

The strike action will coincide with the Labour Party Conference, being held in Liverpool, and follows previous walkouts last month by members at companies including Avanti West Coast, c2c, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, LNER and Southeastern.

TSSA union leader Manuel Cortes said: "I will be standing on our picket line in Liverpool and will be encouraging fellow delegates and Labour MPs to do likewise, so they can rightly show they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those fighting the Tories’ cost of living crisis."

CWU strikes involve Royal Mail staff
CWU strikes involve Royal Mail staff

Disputes involving railway workers, barristers, nurses, other NHS staff and Royal Mail employees are expected to continue through the autumn unless agreements over pay and working conditions can be reached between management and union bosses..

September 5 will signal the start of an indefinite strike by barristers in England and Wales protesting at Government-set fees for legal aid work.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch won't rule out further strikes. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch won't rule out further strikes. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA.

On September 8 and 9 Royal Mail workers in the Communication Workers union will strike again over pay before ballots open on September 15 among nurses represented by the Royal College of Nursing who are talking about striking in England for the very first time.

Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: "Nursing staff will stop at nothing to protect their patients. Staff shortages are putting patient safety at risk and the government’s failure to listen has left us with no choice but to advocate for strike action.

"A lifetime of service must never mean a lifetime of poverty. Ministers’ refusal to recognise the skill and responsibility of the job is pushing people out of the profession. The next prime minister must change course urgently."

Unite is also currently asking its NHS members to vote on possible strike action, while at the end of the month a national strike ballot also opens of Public and Commercial Service union members over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms.

The RMT, which has led a number of national rail strikes since the spring in its dispute with the government over pay and working conditions for more than 30,000 members, has also not ruled out further strikes this side of Christmas if a deal cannot be reached.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More