Headquarters Reporter Observation丨British Train Drivers Union Strikes to Protest High Inflation
On September 1, local time, in order to protest against high inflation, the British train drivers union held a strike. In addition, the National Union of British Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers also plans to hold a strike on September 2. Affected by the strike, most trains of the British South West Railway Company were suspended.
Main station reporter Chen Lincong: London Waterloo Station is the hub railway station of the British South West Railway Company. Short-distance commuter trains from London to the southwestern part of the UK basically depart from here. From 2015 to 2016, the annual passenger throughput of this station was close to 100 million, that is, about 270,000 passengers arrived or departed here every day. During the strike, all trains were basically cancelled, and Waterloo Station, one of the busiest railway stations in London, now looks a little deserted.
The British Train Drivers Union said that since 2019, the real income of most train drivers has stagnated, and rising prices have shrunk their income.
Mick Whelan, Secretary-General of the British Train Drivers Union: The cost of living continues to rise. Energy prices and some food prices are soaring. Bank interest rates and inflation are also rising rapidly. Everyone, including train drivers, is affected by the rising cost of living. Impact.
Whelan believes that the inaction of the current British government is the main reason for the high inflation in the UK.
Mick Whelan, Secretary-General of the British Train Drivers Union: The British Conservative Party has been in power for 12 years, and its economic governance has been poor. These problems in the UK should be attributed to the wrong decisions of the current government.
Main station reporter Chen Lincong: Since British Prime Minister Sunak took office in October last year, he has “fired” and “passed the knife” in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The backlash effect has continued to put pressure on the British economy. At the beginning of this year, Sunak proposed that the “five major commitments” plan should be realized before the end of this year, and now there are only 4 months left before the end of the year. At first glance, Sunak’s goal may be difficult to achieve.
According to a report by the British “Daily Mail” on August 31, the latest opinion poll shows that the opposition Labor Party leads the ruling Conservative Party with 45% to 24%.
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2023-09-03 02:15:00
