Yesterday (14 July) the RMT union announced that workers at Network Rail and 14 train operators are to strike for two days in August (18 and 20) in a row over jobs, pay and conditions, in addition to a planned day of action on 27 July.
Meanwhile, train drivers across eight rail companies nationwide are set to strike over pay on 30 July in their first co-ordinated industrial action in 27 years.
It follows three days of rail strike action by the RMT union last month, which saw some city centre pubs reporting a 50% fall in sales and the night time economy a 40% drop.
“Our industry is suffering heavily from rising costs, as inflation reaches a high, with most reporting an estimated loss of up to 40% in trade from previous strike activity, we must come together to support a recovery we can all benefit from,” says Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA.
The night time economy relies heavily on the rail network to bring audiences and staff safely to and from our venues.
“Any consideration of long term strike action would be catastrophic, sporadic weekly or daily planned strike action is eating into consumer confidence, and will lead to an irreparable loss of business and jobs, after so much hard work has been put into recovery in the last 12 months,” adds Kill.