Unite, the UK’s leading union, has confirmed that its members employed by Network Rail in electric control rooms will join their colleagues at other rail unions in taking industrial action as part of the latest planned walkouts.

New dates

The workers will take industrial action on the following dates: Tuesday 12 December, Wednesday 13 December, Friday 16 December, Saturday 17 December, Sunday 25 December, Monday 26 December, Tuesday 3 January, Wednesday 4 January, Friday 6 January and Saturday 7 January.

Unforgivable

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is totally unforgivable that the government thinks it is acceptable to implement a three year pay freeze on our members who play a critical role in keeping the rail network operating. That this is occurring during the worst cost of living crisis in living memory, doubles the injustice our members are experiencing.”

The workers, based at control rooms in Brighton, Derby, Paddock Wood, Raynes Park, Romford, Selhurst Park and York, play a vital role in controlling and managing the network’s power supply.

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

Fair pay offer

Unite national officer for rail Harish Patel said: “The only way that this dispute will be resolved is by Network Rail making a fair offer to its workforce.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Unite’s Network Rail workers to join latest strikes

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.