Staff and trade at Oakham pubs hit by rail disruption, say hospitality bosses
It's the third of five days of industrial action on our railways today
Pub bosses in Oakham say ongoing disruption to railways are hitting sales, reducing customers and affecting staff levels.
It's as members of the train driver's union ASLEF walk out today in a long-standing row over pay, following on from two days of RMT union strikes.
Luke, acting manager at The Lord Nelson pub in Oakham, says the industrial action is having an impact on his business:
'With some of our staff, we can't actually get them into work - they will start at 2pm and finish at quite late hours and can't get a train back to where they live. '
'I will have to come in early for the next couple of days to cover some of my staff because they can't make that journey.'
He added: 'We've had a few Christmas parties cancel on us because they can't get here, because obviously they would come from Melton, Leicester - they rang up and just told us they can't get in.'
...that's obviously had an effect on our income.'
What rail services are affected?
Companies affected by the strike are Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; London North Eastern Railway; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway (depot drivers only); SWR Island Line; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains.
More rail workers from the RMT union will head back to the picket lines tomorrow and Saturday - on what will be the last day of a week of disruption to rail services.
ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan said:
‘We don’t want to inconvenience passengers – our friends and families use the railway, too, and we believe in investing in rail for the future of our country – and drivers don’t want to lose a day’s pay. That’s why strikes are always a last resort. But the intransigent attitude of the train companies – with the government acting, with malice, in the shadows – has forced our hand.
‘Because these drivers – who were, don’t forget, the people who moved key workers and goods around the country during the pandemic – have not had a pay rise for nearly four years.
‘With inflation running at 14% the companies – and the government – are saying that they want us to take a real-terms pay cut. The companies need to come to the table with a proper proposal to help our members, their drivers, buy this year what they could buy last year. That is the way to prevent another strike and all the disruption that causes. The ball is now firmly in the train companies’ court. And we are calling on the government to help – and not hinder – the negotiating process.’
A spokesperson for the Department of transport said: "The government has demonstrated it is being reasonable and stands ready to facilitate a resolution to rail disputes. It’s time the unions came to the table and played their part as well."