Trains going through much of Southwark and south London are to be disrupted after workers for Southeastern voted to strike.
Southeastern, which was among thirteen railway companies whose workers chose industrial action over pay, jobs and safety concerns, runs trains through south-east London, including London Bridge, Blackfriars, Elephant and Castle, Peckham, Denmark Hill and Nunhead.
Staff at Network Rail, the public body that owns the railways themselves, also voted to strike. Network Rail wants to cut 2,500 jobs in maintenance to make £2 billion in savings, although it said this would not compromise safety.
The timetable for the strike is unclear. RMT, the union which organised the industrial action, said it would finalise timings in mid-June. Any strike could mean massively reduced services and make it harder for people to get around. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said this week that the government would prioritise cargo trains moving around vital goods like food and energy sources in the event of a strike.
The railway industry is under pressure, with more people working from home. Unions are concerned this could mean job losses and reduced timetables.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Today’s overwhelming endorsement by railway workers is a vindication of the union’s approach and sends a clear message that members want a decent pay rise, job security and no compulsory redundancies.
“Our NEC will now meet to discuss a timetable for strike action from mid-June, but we sincerely hope ministers will encourage the employers to return to the negotiating table and hammer out a reasonable settlement with the RMT.”
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A spokesperson for the government said: “It is hugely disappointing and premature that the RMT is calling for industrial action before even entering discussions.”
