Simon Clark, secretary general of the Treasury Department, said that while the government was not the legal employer of union members who had to leave, they could not expect “wage increases that wreak havoc”. “I’m afraid they might do it [the strikes] it will move forward, “said Clark. “Obviously we will continue to support the negotiations until there is no more time for discussion. Politics Hub: “We have an inflation problem in this country” – public sector wage warning “But I think the public this week needs to know that there is going to be a very big upset and so it makes sense to make preparations for that.” The departure of 40,000 workers in the largest railway strike in three decades threatens to wreak havoc on commuters and drown out busy roads. Members of the RMT union are embroiled in a wage dispute, mandatory redundancies and safety concerns – as employers try to save money on a taxpayer-backed network during the COVID crisis. Reports suggest it could only be the beginning of what has been described as a summer of discontent, with teachers, nurses, doctors and postal workers also considering collective action. With inflation at a four-decade high, workers are being faced with a real squeeze in their incomes, with wage increases below the cost of living increase of 9%. Mr Clarke reiterated an earlier warning that to avoid a sharp rise in prices, wages should remain under control – although the RMT’s 7% wage target is below inflation. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:07 Shapps has to “get on the plate and take some responsibility” Shapps has to do it Speaking more broadly about wages, he said: “If we are going to prevent the evil of inflation … then we have to show collective, social responsibility. “I recognize that there is a sacrifice in this situation.” Mr Clarke said the government hoped the ongoing talks between employers and the railway unions would make progress. He added: “We want to see a resolution that works for everyone. This should work for railroad workers, but it’s crucial it should work for passengers and taxpayers as well. “The taxpayer supported the railway industry very much during the pandemic. Now we are coming out of it, we need the railway to be a viable force in our country. It is not. These changes must be secured as part of this wider negotiation.” The government indirectly controls the thousands of miles of the line, through the Railway Network, in which private train companies operate. Mr Clarke said he would not interfere in negotiations between employers and employees, saying: “We do not own the railways ourselves.” Paul Nowak, deputy secretary general of the TUC, said teachers, railways and postal workers were not “going on strike for fun” but had “real concerns about things like pay”. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:06 Railway workers have very little choice but to strike, Labor claims He told Sky News: “Many of our members just say ‘enough is enough’. Labor shadow shadow transport secretary Louise Hay told Sky News that it was still possible for transport secretary Grand Saps to intervene at 11 a.m. and stop the strikes from continuing. He said: “We want to see passengers avoid unrest, but of course we understand and support the rights of railway workers to fight for a fair settlement of wages.” Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS union representing civil servants, said his union was voting on 150,000 members for action in September and that teachers were also considering possible strikes in the autumn. He told Sky News: “I’m not sure about a summer of resentment … but what I’m sure about is that we will see high levels of labor action unless the government acknowledges that frontline public sector workers have kept the country afloat. during the pandemic a 2% wage increase can not be expected when inflation is projected to be above 11%. Another turning point could come this week when the government launched a plan to lift a ban on hiring workers to intervene in strikes – a move strongly opposed by unions.
