BROMSGROVE MP Sajid Javid has called on the town’s Labour Party to condemn the RMT rail strikes.
The Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) Union is holding industrial action today, Thursday and Saturday, June 21, 23 and 25.
Rail companies have warned commuters the biggest strike in the UK since the 1980s would not only cause severe disruption on these days, but the rail network could be paralysed for the six days between now and Saturday, bringing the whole country to a standstill.
Mr Javid, who is also Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “The decision for rail unions to go ahead with these unjustified strikes will cause extreme disruption right across the country.
“These strikes will impact working people the hardest and it is disappointing that the Labour Party is supporting the upcoming rail strikes.
“These strikes also put patients at risk and make it more difficult for doctors, nurses, and carers to get to work and for patients to get to their essential treatments.”
He added the Government was committed to resolving the current situation and improving the rail network across the United Kingdom.
“My colleague, the Secretary of State for Transport, has been working tirelessly to attempt to prevent these strikes and continue positive discussions across the rail network.
“The Labour Party have chosen to support the RMT Union and their leader, who consistently refuses to negotiate with the Government, working against critical reforms that are vital to the proper functioning of the UK rail network.
“They claim to be promoting the best interests of the British people, but instead, they are on the side of those on strike—that is where the Labour Party’s loyalties lie.”
Bromsgrove Conservative Association has backed Mr Javid’s calls in a letter to their Labour counterparts, also called on the party to condemn the strikes.
Bromsgrove Labour Party hit back saying it ‘unequivocally condemned the Tory Government’s inability to negotiate a deal with rail workers’.
Sam Ammar, secretary of the Bromsgrove Labour Party, said: “We have seen this lack of skill in Bromsgrove where the local Tory government failed to negotiate a bus deal (144 bus) leaving NHS workers and other keyworkers stranded at a time where the cost of living crises has been largely ignored by this government.
“The Tory government supports the railway in its desire to slash a third of maintenance staff.
“Lack of maintenance contributed heavily to the Grenfell Tower tragedy leading to 72 people losing their life and many others in suffering.
“The British public is sadly the victim of the Tory government’s inability to sit round the table and do whatever it takes to ensure taxpayers have efficient, affordable, highly maintained public transport.
“This government is extremely reactive and running off rhetoric not meaningful action.”
She added she had attempted to discuss the trains situation in Bromsgrove where ticketing offices and toilets closed early leaving some members of Bromsgrove residents marginalised.
She said she submitted a request to discuss the issues to Mr Javid’s office on April 22 and received acknowledgement on April 25.
But she added she had not heard from Mr Javid or his office since.
She accused the Conservative Government and Mr Javid of ‘burying their head in the sand’ and ‘putting the country into auto-pilot mode with no effort to address any public concerns locally and nationally’.
“The British public deserve better.”
- What do you think about this week’s RMT strike? How has it impacted you? How do you think it should be resolved? Write to us at [email protected] with your views.
