To have less sympathy for rail strikers because they've chosen to strike on Saturdays during summer holidays

[InChocolateWeTrust]

It's pretty clear the aim is to disrupt people's summer holidays. I get it, they are trying to cause maximum pain to rail operating companies, but all that happens is people squeeze onto transport the days either side and the people who bear the costs are the customers.

The train taking us on holiday was cancelled. It cost us hundreds to replan, including booking a short notice hotel room for an extra night, to avoid missing our onwards ferry. It would have cost similar to drive & park. We are lucky we could take the hit financially but plenty of others can't.

It just doesn't sit well with me that after years of Covid restrictions fucking up people's holidays the rail strike have prolonged the misery and its largely customers who are hurt.

If they strike in the week commuters complain. They get a lit more money from commuters than holiday makers (who use the train any day of the week).

Its why engineering works is done around bank Holidays.

I think striking on days that children needed to get to their A level and GCSE exams was a low point. Topping it off on Thursday for A level results day. So obvious it's done on purpose what have these students ever done to them?

I agree with them striking tbh. In the long run if we had a nationalised service that was properly funded and well organised, the travel would be ten times better for everyone, all week, all year. The disruption is temporary. I don’t think we’ll see improvements as we still have a shite Tory government but they’re right to try and improve it for everyone; themselves and passengers. Wouldn’t you like a great service?

I hear what you’re saying, but that’s the point of a strike. If it annoys you, write to your MP. You obviously want to use trains so let’s get a decent nationalised service.

Be angry with the rail companies talking advantage of their staff instead of the staff who want to protect their rights.

Odd how everyone always blames the strikers and not the management, who probably could afford to pay more to avoid the strikes, but won’t.

I'd like the service nationalised but I doubt some of the current strikes will work because the job losses & changes they are trying to prevent are inevitable.

If the service is nationalised it will be even less likely we can justify passing costs to customers for roles that don't need performing (little used ticket office staff etc).

The strikers are doing the right thing IMO. Mick Lynch's point is all the workers -especially the low paid- should be given a pay rise, instead of higher and higher profits to shareholders.

All of us who use trains are being failed by these companies. Look at rail services in Europe. That is what the union wants, that is what customers want. The only people who don't want better rail services are the companies and the Tory government.

I support the strikes - even though I have also had to change my holiday plans and incur more costs this week (we are car free family so trains factor in all our plans).

You're supposed to be annoyed

They are not inevitable at all.

You've are parroting some of the government lines I see. Are you a Tory voter perhaps?

Why should Britain have a railway so much worse than comparable countries in Europe?

Wouldnt be effective if it didn't cause disruption would it

Do you know the perks they get?

The whole point is being an inconvenience.

It wouldn't have the same impact if it was done on the day of lowest usage. Like a PP said, you're meant to be annoyed. Maybe direct your anger at the people who are causing low paid, crap conditions jobs?

Saturday strikes are popular because they hate working them.

Probably because it didn't work that well with commuters as many just wfh

Good on them. The British public needs to wake up and realise it can't keep on voting for a Tory government and then expect our public services and national infrastructure to run smoothly.

Train strike is going to inconvenience somebody whenever it is. So I don’t particularly think a Saturday in August is worse than any other day, in fact it is likely to inconvenience fewer people.

I disagree totally.. sorry! I think it would be way better if it was nationalised and we all owned it. There’s no advantage to having a private service for our public transport or essential services. X

Not sure about Saturdays being that much worse but yes the rest is true, it will cost people

Nope.

Solidarity with all striking workers. ✊🏽

They wouldn't be striking if they got paid more so YABU IMO. The point is that they disrupt so those in charge realise how much people rely on their hard work. They're valuable and deserve more.

They give plenty of notice and I agree it's an inconvenience but we just have to adapt as best we can.

This is outdated. Most of the perks have been removed. I have many contacts in rail jobs - and worked in the sector myself - with no perks.

The point of a union is solidarity. We all used to get better pay and conditions. The unions are fighting for workers' rights - don't let your bitterness lead you to favour a race to the bottom.

I understand your frustration at your plans being disrupted & costing you more but striking is meant to cause inconvenience otherwise it's senseless. Airlines used to do it at beginning of school holidays too.

Wage erosion in so many industries at the same time as huge profits/dividends being made is one of the major issues in our economy & job security as we head into a recession is also something to fight for.

I don't doubt for a second that modernisation/automation is also required and that's where the negotiating part comes in but fundamentally the less accepting we become as a nation of being told what to do it's still very feudal in mentality at times the better we can make society collectively.

I support them 100%.
They have began a revolution.
Nursing unions are following suit.

The strike dates have been published in advance.

ABSOLUTELY no day is a good day to strike. Had they done it any day of the week or month it will impact people. It’s impossible for them to choose a good day. They just need to do it, get on with it, get what is right for their members.