Train strikes Birmingham 2022: when is planned action, and which rail companies and routes are affected?

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union (RMT) have announced strike action will take place across the country on 21, 23 and 25 June.

The union voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action last month.

The union has announced that there will be widespread disruption to routes across the UK.

Here’s what we know about the decision to strike, including what a strike might look like and which train companies that operate services through Birmingham could be affected.

Why do union members want to strike?

Members of the RMT union have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action to assure higher wages, job security, and no compulsory redundancies.

Following the vote, which took place on 24 May, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "Today’s overwhelming endorsement by railway workers is a vindication of the union’s approach and sends a clear message that members want a decent pay rise, job security and no compulsory redundancies.”

How many RMT members voted in favour of strike action?

40,000 RMT members who work for Network Rail and the various train companies based around the UK were balloted.

71% of those balloted took part in the vote with 89% voting in favour of strike action and only 11% voting against.

Which rail companies are affected?

Birmingham is a transport hub, with services passing through the city moving onwards to almost all corners of the UK.

RMT has announced the train companies in which members have voted in favour of strike action.

Amongst the list are some which operate services in and out of Birmingham.

Although it is not yet clear what impact the strikes would have on certain routes, we have collected details on which routes may be impacted.

Details about these are listed below.

West Midlands Railway

West Midlands Railway RTM members have voted in favour of strike action.

The train service operates through several Birmingham stations and provides trains to towns that include Shrewsbury, Hereford and Coventry.

For the full route map, visit the West Midlands Railway website

CrossCountry Railway

With a network which traverses across England, Scotland and Wales, CrossCountry passengers from Birmingham can travel to a vast range of destinations.

Some of the major routes CrossCountry operate from Birmingham New Street include down to Cardiff and Penzance in the south and Newcastle and Edinburgh in the north.

For the full route map, visit the CrossCountry website.

Avanti West Coast

The network which connects the west of the UK with London, several routes pass through Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International Stations.

Direct services to London Euston connect the West Midlands to both the capital and the North west of England as well as stations across the North Wales coastline.

For the full Avanti West Coast route map, visit the train service’s website.

What is the full list of companies where staff will strike?

Including Network Rail, here is the full list of train services where staff have voted for strike action.

Network Rail

Chiltern Railways,

Cross Country Trains,

Greater Anglia,

LNER,

East Midlands Railway,

c2c,

Great Western Railway,

Northern Trains,

South Eastern

South Western Railway

Transpennine Express,

Avanti West Coast,

West Midlands Trains

The following company voted for action short of strike:

GTR (including Gatwick Express)

What has the union said following the first day of strike action?

Tuesday 21 June was the first of three days of strike action. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch commented on the turnout on this first day.

He said: “Today’s turnout at picket lines has been fantastic and exceeded expectations in our struggle for job security, defending conditions and a decent pay rise.

“Our members will continue the campaign and have shown outstanding unity in pursuit of a settlement to this dispute.

“RMT members are leading the way for all workers in this country who are sick and tired of having their pay and conditions slashed by a mixture of big business profits and government policy

“Now is the time to stand up and fight for every single railway worker in this dispute that we will win.”