Warrington rail services decimated by strike action

Members of the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) were on strike outside Warrington Bank Quay station this morning as part of the industrial action.

28 strikers were out today, demonstrating against what they're calling 'a disgrace.'

Services running from Warrington Bank Quay were severely disrupted due to the industrial action (Image: Newsquest)

Daren Ireland, RMT regional organiser, said: "The public wants a safe railway, but we believe that cutting schedule tasks creates a recipe for a repeat of previous disasters."

One worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that employees were praised for their work during the pandemic, but have since seen a pay cut (in real terms) being out of lockdown.

He said: "People think that those on strikes are the train drivers, some are on around £100,000 a year - but most of them are in a completely different union to us."

READ MORE > MPs call for action over rail investment in the north

The strike action has led to smaller stations in Warrington, like Birchwood station, to close completely during the industrial action.

The RMT said: "While rail companies are threatening passengers and rail workers with cuts, the companies made a fortune during the pandemic."

Mr Ireland added: "We shouldn't be in 2022 where you're expected to work five hours extra per week, for less money and less pension."

Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, said: "This country’s taxpayers stumped up £600 per household to ensure not a single rail worker lost their job during the pandemic, but many of those very same people will be forced into losing a day’s wages through no fault of their own but because of stubborn union leaders’ refusals to modernise."

Despite the @MayorofLondon failing to provide required info for @TfL finance extensions, I've put a long-term settlement on the table to ensure services are supported & £3.6bn of capital projects take place by 2024. The ball is now firmly in the Mayor's court.

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) July 22, 2022

Mr Shapps continued: "Union bosses will claim they’re willing to do a deal but how can anyone take them seriously when, earlier this month, the RMT dismissed a Network Rail offer worth eight per cent over the next two years without even consulting their members."