Live updates: Train strike in Birmingham - first day of RMT industrial action

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Rail unions are staging the biggest strike in three decades across the country - see how train services in Birmingham are being affected

The biggest rail strikes in three decades have begun - with major disruption across Birmingham. Communters have been advised only to travel if their journey is vital. We will be bringing you live updates as the strike gets underway.

Live updates: Train strike in Birmingham - first day of rail union industrial action

Passengers queue at Birmingham New Street as the doors were locked at 7am this morning (Tuesday, June 21)

Passengers queue to enter Birmingham New Street as the first day of strikes gets underwayPassengers queue to enter Birmingham New Street as the first day of strikes gets underway
Passengers queue to enter Birmingham New Street as the first day of strikes gets underway | PA

A normally buzzing Birmingham New Street station saw passengers queueing to enter at 7am this morning as the first day of industrial action by the RMT got underway - with train services drastically reduced or cancelled across the country.

West Midlands Railway trainWest Midlands Railway train
West Midlands Railway train | Shutterstock

Rail companies across the West Midlands have issued reduced timetables as the strike action was confirmed yesterday when last ditch attempts to cancel it failed. West Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast and Cross Country have all cut services this week. Here is the latest timetables and advice from the three companies https://www.birminghamworld.uk/news/live-updates-train-strike-in-birminghamfirst-day-of-rmt-industrial-action-3739013

National Rail Enquiries online journey planner crashes

Error message on Network Rail Enquiries online journey plannerError message on Network Rail Enquiries online journey planner
Error message on Network Rail Enquiries online journey planner | PA

People hoping to use the Network Rail online journey planner were left disappointed this morning as the service stopped working. A message kept popping up stating: “500 Internal Server Error”

It is believed this could be due to a surge in demand as the rail strikes get underway.

RMT pickets out at Birmingham New Street since 6am - with some members of the public showing support

A picket line is seen outside Birmingham New Street station, as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditionsA picket line is seen outside Birmingham New Street station, as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions
A picket line is seen outside Birmingham New Street station, as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions | PA

RMT union pickets, who had been out since around 6am, were posted at all the main entrances to Birmingham New Street station, as well as outside the city’s eye-catching concrete signal box in nearby Navigation Street.

Reporters at New Streest advised that although none of those on the pickets was authorised to speak to media, the mood of members was upbeat.

They also said that there was some visible support from the public, with a handful of drivers beeping horns, however most people on their way to work in the city centre merely glanced at the picket lines before carrying on.

Grand Central Train Station and New Street Mall Birmingham UKGrand Central Train Station and New Street Mall Birmingham UK
Grand Central Train Station and New Street Mall Birmingham UK | Grand Central Train Station and New Street Mall Birmingham UK

Window cleaner Anthony Noble was soaping down the glass panels on The Railway pub opposite the main picket line at Birmingham New Street station.

The 46-year-old is fully supportive of the industrial action, saying “fair play to them”.

“At the end of the day they do a good service. They should be on strike,” he added.

He said talk of a conditional below-inflation pay offer, or proposed rule changes to allow rail operators to hire agency staff, is “desperate”.

“What are they going to do, replace them?”

He added. “I hope they get what they’re asking for.”

Birmingham New Street quiet as rail strike gets underway

Birmingham New Street on the first day of the RMT train strikes (Tuesday, June 21)Birmingham New Street on the first day of the RMT train strikes (Tuesday, June 21)
Birmingham New Street on the first day of the RMT train strikes (Tuesday, June 21) | PA

At Birmingham New Street, the station has been quieter than a usual Tuesday morning rush, with travellers appearing to have either decided to work from home or found alternative ways to get to their desks.

Down on the platforms, the 7.34am service to Northampton, the next earliest train heading in the direction of London, was full, but passengers had all managed to get seats.

Train marshals were also helping people plan any onward journeys.

Trains overcrowded - if they are running

More passengers reporting that the train services that are running are overcrowded.

Carol Hutchinson - on her way back to the Lake District after coming off a six-hour flight from Egypt - arrived back in the UK to find her direct train from Birmingham International station cancelled.

Having made her way to New Street, she was waiting to board, with her luggage, what appeared to be one of the few trains still running.

“I think it’s going to be standing room only… I’m not even sure I’ll get on with my suitcase,” she said.

RMT workers warned about industrial action during a protest at New Street in March - here’s what they said

RMT workers staged a protest at Birmingham New Street in March warning that they would strike if their pay and conditions were threatened. Speaking to BirminghamWorld at New Street at the time, John Watson, Regional Admin Manager for RMT Midlands, said: “Rail fares have been increased by an average of 3.8% as of 1 March.

“Fares are going up every single year and people are starting to pay more and actually getting less for their money.

“Services and staffing levels are being cut, the visibility and availability of staff are all going down and people are paying more and getting less for their money.

“We’re protesting and asking the government to cut the fares, invest in the railways in the UK and keep the money in the UK.”

Government and unions called out in 11th hour to stop biggest rail strike in 30 years

Here’s a look at the last ditch attempts to stop the strike - stopping thousands of workers making it into the office this morning. Have you been affected? Let us know. Our email address is [email protected]

UK prepares for the biggest rail strike in 30 years: everything you need to know on the dispute and events which could be affected

Here’s a look at how the rail strike is affecting the whole country, including the events that could be hit.

Do people support the rail strike?

We asked West Midlanders what they thought about the train strike ahead of today’s industrial action. There was quite a mixed response from people on the street with some showing support for the RMT members - despite the disruption it is causing to everyday life. What do you think about the industrial action?

Passenger charged admin fee for cancelled ticket

A rail traveller has told how they have been charged and admin fee after their train was cancelled due to the strikes. Seems a bit unfair!

Here’s what they said on Twitter

Sir Keir Starmer claims Boris Johnson wants rail strikes to go ahead so he can 'feed off the division'

Here’s what the politicians are saying about the train strike - with Opposition Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer claiming that PM Boris Johnson wants to the strike to go ahead so that he can “feed off division”. Is that a fair comment? Let us know what you think

Replacement bus services running at Birmingham New Street

Rail companies have put on replacement bus services at Birmingham New Street - but not all passengers are happy about this. Five people were seen boarding a replacement bus service outside the station for the 9.24am service to Bristol Temple Meads.

One man, asked for a comment on the strikes as he boarded the coach, while weighed down with a fully-laden camping rucksack, replied “half of what I said wouldn’t be fit to print in a newspaper”.

However, another man passing the nearby picket line said to striking workers “well done everyone, solidarity. Well done”.

Will rain strike affect the Commonwealth Games?

The newly transformed Alexander Stadium ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in BirminghamThe newly transformed Alexander Stadium ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham
The newly transformed Alexander Stadium ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham | Birmingham 2022

There are fears that industrial action could continue after the three days already planned this week - today, Thursday and Saturday.

With Birmingham’s biggest ever event - the Commonwealth Games - on the horizon people have already asked if this could be disrupted. Thousands are expected to visit the city for the Birmingham 2022 Games and a billion are due to watch it televised across the world.

The issue was discussed at a recent full council meeting with Birmingham City Council Leader Cllr Ian Ward saying: “We’ve been talking to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and Transport for West Midlands and contingencies are being put in place for the possibility of strikes during the Games.

“We very much hope that doesn’t happen, but if there is disruption on the railways we will do our best to put mitigating measures in place to ensure people can go to and from the city and Games venues.”

Barristers also looking to go on strike in Birmingham

The RMT isn’t the only union calling on members to go out on strike. Yesterday it was announced that the Criminal Bar Association had voted to walk out with strikes planned next week at courts across the country, including Birmingham Crown Court. Full story here https://www.birminghamworld.uk/news/barristers-vote-to-go-on-strike-at-birmingham-crown-court-3738582

Boris Johnson reacts to the rail strike

RMT members train strike at Birmingham New StreetRMT members train strike at Birmingham New Street
RMT members train strike at Birmingham New Street | LTV

Boris Johnson told a meeting of the Cabinet that reforms were needed on the railways.

“We need the union barons to sit down with Network Rail and the train companies and get on with it,” he said.

“We need, I’m afraid, everybody, and I say this to the country as a whole, we need to get ready to stay the course.

“To stay the course, because these reforms, these improvements in the way we run our railways are in the interests of the travelling public, they will help to cut costs for farepayers up and down the country.”

But the modernisation programme was also in the interests of workers because “if we don’t do this, these great companies, this great industry, will face further financial pressure, it will go bust and the result will be they have to hike up the cost of tickets still further”.

That would result in the “disaster” of declining rail use, he warned.

Boris Johnson told his top ministerial team the strike was causing “significant disruption and inconvenience up and down the country”.

They were making it “more difficult for people to get to work, risking people’s appointments, making it more difficult for kids to sit exams – all sorts of unnecessary aggravations”.

He set out why he believed the strikes were “so wrong and so unnecessary”, pointing to the levels of support offered to the industry during the pandemic and the “colossal” investment in rail infrastructure.

“We believe in our railways, we believe in our railway infrastructure as a vital part of levelling up across the country,” he said.

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