No 10 denies deliberate push for battle with rail unions
The Guardian|August 19, 2022
20% Proportion of rail services that ran yesterday as a result of the strike involving the RMT and TSSA
Peter Walker, Pippa Crerar and Tom Ambrose
No 10 denies deliberate push for battle with rail unions

4,300 Number of services Network Rail says were due to run yesterday and are planned for tomorrow

Downing Street has denied that ministers are deliberately seeking a political battle with rail unions, as both sides toughened their language even further and the head of the RMT warned that the impasse could continue “indefinitely”.

Just 20% of rail services ran yesterday, in a sixth day of strike action since June involving the RMT and TSSA unions, with further disruption tomorrow that is likely to affect trains throughout the weekend.

London tube and bus services will also be disrupted in the coming days in a parallel strike, involving the RMT and the Unite union, overpay, working conditions, and the threat of job losses.

Downing Street and the Department for Transport (DfT) have faced accusations from opposition parties of not seriously trying to find a solution to the rail strike, and instead using bellicose language and seeking to blame Labour for union action.

This story is from the August 19, 2022 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 19, 2022 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView All
Yousaf in peril as Greens say they will back no-confidence motion
The Guardian

Yousaf in peril as Greens say they will back no-confidence motion

Scotland's first minister stuns MSPs by ending power-sharing deal

time-read
4 mins  |
April 26, 2024
Calvert-Lewin ruins title dreams of reckless Reds
The Guardian

Calvert-Lewin ruins title dreams of reckless Reds

The final Merseyside derby of Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool reign might well prove the final blow to his dream of saying goodbye with the Premier League title.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 25, 2024
West Ham hold positive talks with Lopetegui
The Guardian

West Ham hold positive talks with Lopetegui

West Ham have held productive talks with the former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui over replacing David Moyes this summer.

time-read
1 min  |
April 25, 2024
Fernandes inspires comeback win to ease pressure on Ten Hag
The Guardian

Fernandes inspires comeback win to ease pressure on Ten Hag

With 80 minutes gone Bruno Fernandes collected a Kobbie Mainoo pass and with a swish of his left foot fired a laser past Wes Foderingham and Manchester United were 3-2 ahead. The question, now, was could they at last hang on a lead.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 25, 2024
Overton injury gives England headache for T20 World Cup
The Guardian

Overton injury gives England headache for T20 World Cup

England have seen their selection for the T20 World Cup complicated by a back injury to Jamie Overton and now face an anxious two-week wait to discover the full extent of the allrounder's problem.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 25, 2024
Raducanu struggles to find energy as she crashes out to qualifier
The Guardian

Raducanu struggles to find energy as she crashes out to qualifier

The great challenge of professional tennis is not just performing at a high level but doing so week after week, regardless of the conditions, for a sustained period of time.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 25, 2024
How's stat? Why head-to-head battles only add to the rich tapestry of Test cricket drama
The Guardian

How's stat? Why head-to-head battles only add to the rich tapestry of Test cricket drama

Let's start, as all bad pieces of writing should, with a cliche: cricket is an individual sport dressed as a team game. Every match comprises hundreds or thousands of contests between a batter and a bowler.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 25, 2024
Designer labels owed millions after collapse of Matches
The Guardian

Designer labels owed millions after collapse of Matches

Designer brands including Gucci and Anya Hindmarch have been left millions of pounds out of pocket and some customers will not get refunds after online fashion site Matchesfashion collapsed owing more than £210m last month.

time-read
1 min  |
April 25, 2024
Bend it like the Mona Lisa? Yoga in Louvre to celebrate Paris Olympics
The Guardian

Bend it like the Mona Lisa? Yoga in Louvre to celebrate Paris Olympics

The Louvre museum in Paris is planning yoga and sport sessions in its galleries as part of a city-wide cultural programme before this summer's Olympics.

time-read
1 min  |
April 25, 2024
Spears taken by Captain Cook returned to Aboriginal owners
The Guardian

Spears taken by Captain Cook returned to Aboriginal owners

Four spears stolen from Kamay, now known as Botany Bay in Australia, by Captain James Cook and his crew have been returned to their traditional owners after more than 250 years.

time-read
1 min  |
April 25, 2024