Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, employed by Network Rail as electric control room operatives, will join other rail unions in taking strike action on Thursday 18 August and Saturday 20 August.

The electric control room operatives play a crucial role as they are responsible for managing and controlling the power supply to the rail network.

Crucial role

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham: “Our members played a crucial role in keeping the rail network functioning throughout the pandemic, ensuring that essential workers and goods could be transported. The thanks they get for their sacrifices from their employers is a derisory offer that amounts to a kick in the teeth 

“Unite is entirely dedicated to defending the jobs, pay and conditions of its members. Our members at Network Rail will receive the union’s total support until this dispute is resolved and the workers receive a fair pay deal.”

Control rooms affected

The workers are based at the control rooms in Brighton, York, Paddock Wood, Raynes Park, Romford, Selhurst Road and York.

The workers have not received a pay increase for three years and are increasingly struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of living crisis.

Further disruption

Unite national officer Harish Patel said: “Strike action by Unite members will undoubtedly cause further disruption to the rail service but this dispute is entirely of Network Rail’s own making. Our members expect and deserve a pay rise which tackles the cost of living crisis that faces them.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.