BREAKING: Rail workers to strike on day of Eurovision Song Contest final

Rail workers are set to stage another walkout on the day of the Eurovision song contest final next month.

Rail union, RMT have announced they will launch strike action across 14 train operators on May 13 after the union’s executive turned down a “clarification“ on an offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

The RMT said the offer included a first-year payment of 5 per cent but only if the union terminated its industrial mandate, meaning no further strike action could take place.

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The union said discussions would then have to begin without it having any industrial leverage at the negotiating table. The strikes at 14 train operators could throw Eurovision travel plans into jeopardy.

The union is currently re-balloting its members on the 14 train operating companies with a result expected May 4.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The RDG have reneged on their original proposals and torpedoed these negotiations. No doubt their decision is due to pressure exerted on them by the Tory Government.

“Therefore, we have no alternative but to press ahead with more strike action and continue our campaign for a negotiated settlement on pay, conditions and job security.

“We are re-balloting our members and if we beat the draconian anti-trade union laws on turnout, we will have a renewed mandate for action.

“We will then put on a further programme of strike action to make the employers and the Government, who continue to hold the puppet strings, see sense in this dispute.”

The news follows an earlier announcement by the drivers union Aslef of strikes on May 12 and 31, as well as on June 3, the day of the FA Cup Final.

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