Two more unions to join rail strikes across Great Britain in August

theguardian.com:

Two more unions with members employed by Network Rail have announced they will join the RMT’s rail workers in calling strikes later this month, piling more pressure on Great Britain’s rail services.

About 2,500 members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), including controllers, will walk out on 18 and 20 August – the same days as RMT members – although those in managerial grades, who provide contingency staff to keep services running, will not be on strike.

Members of the Unite union who work as electrical control room operatives for Network Rail will also strike on the same days.

The TSSA had already called strikes on those dates at seven train operating companies, after ballots last month, but had earlier refrained from staging strikes at Network Rail.

However, the union shifted its position after saying it had failed to get clear assurances over job security and working practices.

The general secretary, Manuel Cortes, said the strike would have a huge impact. He said: “Our members are simply asking for basic fair treatment: not to be sacked from their jobs, a fair pay rise in the face of a cost of living crisis and no race to the bottom on terms and conditions.

“No one takes strike action lightly, but we have been left with little choice. Our general grades and controllers are a force to be reckoned with. Without them the rail network does not run, it is that simple.”

Network Rail sources said its contingency plans remained in place for now, meaning some trains were likely to run again during the strikes.

Unite said its members, who are responsible for managing and controlling the power supply to the rail network, had not received a pay increase for three years.

The Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said