Train drivers in the UK went on strike for 24 hours this weekend, causing major disruptions to rail transportation in the country
Train drivers from 9 companies in the UK who are members of Aslef, one of the rail transportation unions in the UK, are continuing their 24-hour work stoppage action spread over the weekend in different regions and at different working times.
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Millions of train passengers who leave their homes for work or long-planned vacations in different parts of the country over the weekend are forced to change or cancel their plans after long waits at terminals.
Around 6,000 train drivers working for 9 different companies across the country have joined the strike, bringing the country’s rail system to almost complete gridlock.
Train drivers are demanding wage increases in line with inflation.
In London, light rail services and intercity trains for Great Western, Greater Anglia, LNER and Hull have been canceled for almost the entire weekend as part of the strike.
Other services are still running, but are experiencing significant congestion due to a sudden surge in passenger demand.
UK inflation at its highest level in 40 years
According to British National Statistics (ONS) data, the consumer price index (CPI) in the country increased by 9.4 percent on an annual basis in June this year.
With the latest data, inflation in the UK is at the highest level in the last 40 years.
The Bank of England (BoE) announced last week that it increased the policy rate from 1.25 percent to 1.75 percent, making the highest interest rate increase in the last 27 years to combat rising inflation.
In the minutes of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, it was stated that inflation in the country was expected to peak at 13.3 percent in October this year, while the British economy was predicted to enter recession in the last quarter of this year.
