Union RMT (Union of Railway, Maritime and Transport Workers) on Monday rejected the offer of 5% and 4% wage hikes respectively from the railway operators.
The union explained that the offer, made conditional on a 30% increase in working hours outside regular hours and a 50% reduction in scheduled maintenance work, would lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.
The RMT’s general secretary, Mick Lynch, deemed the proposal “inadequate” and promised members were “resolute”, accusing the government of refusing to “lift a finger” to help and threatening to legislate against strikes.
The union has planned fresh actions on December 16-17, December 24-27, January 3-4 and January 6-7, directly affecting the movement of thousands of people during the festive season.
The strike will involve around 40,000 rail workers and involves 14 railway companies and operator Network Rail, bringing most of British rail services to a standstill.
This includes those responsible for signing strikes, so they affect the service of companies where employees do not participate.
This week has predicted strikes by car driver examiners, postmen, highway patrols, nurses and at airports, such as ground assistance and passport control.
The social unrest is a result of rising inflation, which hit 11.1% in the UK in October due to higher food and energy prices.
Faced with rising living costs, the government is under pressure to promote consensus, but says negotiations are between workers and employers and laments the consequences for people.
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