Rail traffic in the United Kingdom will be disrupted in large parts of the country on Friday and Saturday, due to a new strike by railway workers demanding higher pay, job security and better working arrangements.
Several railway companies have warned of delays and cancellations as train drivers will strike on Friday following a call by the Aslef union, and other staff will follow on Saturday at the request of the main rail RMT union.
Staff will stop work at more than a dozen train operators, including all the key long-distance and commuter rail firms, local media report.
The walk-outs are expected to hit passengers travelling to Liverpool for the Eurovision Song Contest, as the final takes place on Saturday.
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The labour dispute has been dragging on in the UK since June 2022. Unions are demanding wage increases to offset skyrocketing inflation and better working conditions. However, employers' proposals (including a 4% pay rise) have been criticised as inadequate.
Train drivers also want to strike again on 31 May and 3 June. On 3 June, there is the FA Cup football final between Manchester City and Manchester United in London.
So far, the RMT union has staged walk-outs on 24 days in the current wave of strikes, with Aslef stopping work on eight previous occasions.
