NUS UK has called on rail firms and the UK Government to ‘fix the mess they’ve created’ after people struggled to get to school and work due to strikes.
In June, a rail strike was called by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT). It included 40,000 signallers, maintenance and train staff working for Network Rail, as well as 13 train operators. The RMT cited job cuts, pay and conditions for the reasons behind the strike.
NUS calls on rail firms and the government
Stories of those unable to get to work and school because of the strikes have been plastered on the front pages of the news, and the strikes have remained a topic of debate in the comment section of various social media posts.
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Some people blame the strikers, others are calling for the rail companies and government to be held accountable. But what do students think?
The National Union of Students released a statement on the rail strikes, which read: ‘The responsibility for disruption caused to students during an already stressful time sits squarely with rail firm managers and the government.’
They explained that ‘students call on rail firms to negotiate fairly with workers, and added: ‘we call on the government to stop blocking a fair settlement. Rail firms and government must fix the mess they’ve created.’
Students feel the strike impact
This sentiment appears to be shared among students around the country, as one told Freshered: ‘It is disappointing that students are being affected, but they need to get over themselves.
‘These rail workers wouldn’t have taken this decision likely, they would’ve been aware of the disruption they have caused and have chosen to do this.
‘Of course students have been affected but they need to understand that some of these workers, despite working full time, are having to use food banks and are unable to pay the bills. If it takes this disruption for the government to realise the widespread impact of their failures, then so be that.’
‘This year’s graduates have felt the disruption of the UCU strikes throughout almost their entire time at university. While these rail strikes are going to be another hit to students, they are necessary.
Strikes are meant to cause disruption and inconvenience, that is why they are effective and why they are a means of forcing change. So while students definitely have the right to be upset about this, the anger should be directed at those causing the rail workers to strike, not the rail workers themselves,’ another explained.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch stated that railway workers have been treated ‘appallingly.’
‘Despite our best efforts in negotiations, the rail industry with the support of the government has failed to take their concerns seriously,’ he said.