Strikes in UK continue to affect rail industry

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British railway workers held a new strike on July 29 demanding higher wages and better working conditions. This is the latest strike after a series of consecutive strikes over the past year that have affected the country's rail network.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union have stopped work for a day, causing widespread cancellations of rail services and travel disruption for passengers. In some areas, only about half of the lines are running, while in many areas none are running at all.

In addition to the rail sector, strikes have also taken place across Britain’s public and private sectors over the past 18 months, with workers ranging from health workers and teachers to lawyers and dockworkers demanding pay rises to combat the highest inflation in decades.

The dispute between the RMT and 14 rail operators over pay and working conditions has been worsened by plans to close most ticket offices across the UK.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the union would continue to strike until negotiations reached a conclusion.

The UK Department for Transport said authorities had met with rail union leaders, listened to their concerns and facilitated an early agreement.

According to VNA