Tennis fans traveling to Wimbledon this week will be the victims of the latest strikes by transport workers as London tramlink drivers go out in a row over payments.
There will be a strike this Tuesday and Wednesday after the driver refuses to raise the 3pc salary.
London’s Tramlink runs along a 17-mile railroad track across southern London, serving Bromley, Croydon, Sutton and Wimbledon.
A tram runs between Croydon and Wimbledon every five minutes on weekdays, bringing tennis fans to the All England Club.
Transport for London said, “Severe turmoil is expected on both days,” urging people to use alternative public transport.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan was urged to intervene in the queue to force operators to pay a “fair wage settlement,” union leaders said.
Tramlink is owned by Transport for London, the largest presiding authority, and operated by the transportation company First Group.
Finn Brennan of the driver’s union Aslev said TfL will pay FirstGroup, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, at a market value of nearly £ 1 billion, which is a fixed fee for operating a tram. Prices rise to the November Retail Price Index (7.1% last year).
With inflation at its highest level in 40 years, Brennan’s rise of 3% means “reducing real wages for those who are already struggling to cope with rising fuel, energy and food prices. “.
He added: “Our members have difficult and demanding jobs and work 24 hours a day, 364 days a year. They deserve a fair wage settlement.”
Trish Ashton, Director of Rail and Sponsor Services for Transport for London, said: .. And avoid confusion to our customers.
“All customers traveling on a day set to be affected by a strike are advised to check before traveling.”
Strikes are the latest by transport workers who are angry about being offered a salary increase below inflation.
Last week, the Railroad, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) conducted the largest railroad strike of its generation. Wages are not the only controversy. Network Rail and railroad companies want to reduce the costs taxpayers have incurred since the end of last year’s franchise and change “old-fashioned” working practices.
Talks between RMT, Network Rail and railroad companies are expected to be summarized today to resolve domestic disputes.
British Airways check-in staff say they will also strike continuously over payments. The timing of the walkout has not been announced, but the union leader is believed to be aiming for the last two weekends of July.
Labor Party Shadow Foreign Minister David Lammy provokes anger among union leaders on Sunday saying he must “resolutely” oppose a 10% salary increase for BA airport workers at Heathrow Airport. rice field.
BA Pilot Union Balpa will sit with the airline this week, overturning the wage deal that took place during Covid. This means that members must continue to sacrifice part of their salary to cover the wages of their colleagues who have continued during the pandemic.