Britain faces its biggest rail strike in 30 years this week when tens of thousands of staff walk out in a pay dispute that unions warn could lead to coordinated action across other industries.
British households are already experiencing the biggest economic squeeze in decades, with surging food and fuel prices taking inflation towards double-digit figures while average underlying wages are no higher than they were in 2006.
More than 50,000 rail workers will strike on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday over pay freezes and job cuts — what unions bill as just the start of a possible “summer of discontent”.
“Every worker in Britain deserves a pay rise that reflects the cost-of-living crises,” the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers said. “We call for joint campaigning and coordinated action to achieve a better deal for workers and a fairer society.”
Britain’s economy initially rebounded strongly from the pandemic but a combination of labour shortages and inflation has prompted warnings of a recession.