RAIL passengers can expect 'severe disruption' at Worcester stations as strike action begins tomorrow (Tuesday).

The strikes will have an impact on rail services across the UK, including passengers travelling to and from Worcester Foregate Street and Shrub Hill Stations.

Birmingham Snow Hill to Kidderminster/Worcester will have no service on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday according to West Midlands Railway. 

The Birmingham to Hereford line is also showing no service over the same period with normal service resuming after a later start on Sunday.

 

 

 

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has announced its intention to stage strike action across several train companies, including West Midlands Railway.

 

 

A spokesman for West Midlands Railway said: "This will have a considerable impact on the number of trains we are able to run.

"We will be running a very limited service on these dates between 7.30am and 6.30pm only. Due to the knock-on impact of the strike, a very limited service will also be running on Wednesday, June 22 and Friday, June 24.

 

 

 

"Our advice to customers is to only travel during this time if your journey is essential and you have no other means of transport available. If you do travel, expect severe disruption and plan ahead."

The RMT union had released the following statement in response to the industrial action:  "In the past few weeks, discussions have been taking place at senior level with Network Rail, Train Operators and London Underground.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">⚠️Due to industrial action there will be a very limited service this week <br><br>⚠️Only travel if necessary<br><br>⚠️If you travel expect severe disruption & plan ahead<br><br>👇See below for routes that WILL NOT OPERATE on strike days. Please check carefully<br><br>👉Info at <a href="https://t.co/xXlLvV31A8">https://t.co/xXlLvV31A8</a> <a href="https://t.co/JArVsiiO5v">pic.twitter.com/JArVsiiO5v</a></p>— GWR (@GWRHelp) <a href="https://twitter.com/GWRHelp/status/1538625837662191616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

"Despite the best efforts of our negotiators no viable settlements to the disputes have been created.

"It has to be re-stated that the source of these disputes is the decision by the Tory Government to cut £4bn of funding from our transport systems - £2bn from national rail and £2bn from Transport for London.

As a result of this transport austerity imposed by the Government, the employing companies have taken decisions to:

Savage the Railway Pension Scheme and the TFL scheme, cutting benefits, making staff work longer, and poorer in retirement, while paying increased contributions.

"Thousands of job cuts across the rail networks. Attacking terms, conditions and working practices in a form of internal fire and re-hire.

"Cutting real pay for most of our members through lengthy pay freezes and below RPI inflation pay proposals.

In the face of this massive attack on our people the RMT cannot be passive.

"So today, having heard the reports on the discussions that have been taking place we are confirming that the strike action scheduled to take place on 21st, 23rd and 25th June will go ahead.

"We want a transport system that operates for the benefit of the people, for the needs of society and our environment – not for private profit.

"We call on our members to stand firm, support the action, mount the pickets and demonstrate their willingness to fight for workplace justice.

Every worker in Britain deserves a pay rise that reflects the cost-of-living crises. All working people should have the benefit of good negotiated terms, conditions, working practices and occupational pensions that will ensure their living standards in retirement.

We call on the entire labour movement and the working people to rally to the support of the RMT and our members in this struggle.

The RMT will support every group of workers who organise and fight for these aims and we call for joint campaigning and coordinated action to achieve a better deal for workers and a fairer society.

RMT remains available for discussions that will settle this dispute and ensure our transport system can operate without disruption."

Are you affected by the train cancellations? Email james.connell@newsquest.co.uk.