United Kingdom: a monster railway strike hits the country

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M.Boisseau, C.Madini, N.Boothby – France 2

France Televisions

In the United Kingdom, railway workers have just launched a strike movement which could paralyze the country. Only one in five trains was running on Tuesday June 21 and one in two lines was closed.

Hundreds of totally closed lines and 80% stationary trains: a monster rail strike hits the UK on Tuesday, June 21. The country had not seen such a scale in the sector for 30 years. Victoria station in London (UK)usually very busy, is almost empty. Many Britons have given up on the train, like two female travelers returning to southern England. A friend will finally pick them up by car.

At the call of the main union, more than 40,000 railway workers are on strike. No processions, but small groups in stations across the country. Security or maintenance agents are asking for job cuts to be stopped and wages to be raised to the same level as inflation, which is currently at 9%. Even if the railway companies are private, the strikers are also attacking the government, accused of encouraging, by its inaction, the low wages in transport. The movement will continue until Saturday at least.

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