Britain’s railway network has been paralysed again after more than 45,000 rail workers walked out on Thursday in a continuing dispute over pay, jobs, and conditions.
Only about one-fifth of the rail network remains open, and lines that do open are only operating from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The rail strikes, affecting Network Rail and 14 train operating companies on Thursday and Saturday, are coordinated by three unions. About 40,000 members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT) and thousands more members of Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) and the Unite union have joined the action.
Meanwhile, RMT members at London’s Underground and Overground are staging a strike on Friday, in a separate dispute over pay and pensions….