Chloe comments on Rail Strikes

 

For the second time in as many weeks, members of the ASLEF and RMT unions carried out a 48-hour strike on National Express East Anglia train services as part of an ongoing pay dispute.  Thousands of commuters have faced delays and cancelled trains in the wake of the strikes, which have caused huge disruption for all involved.

 

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, who also experienced the disruption caused by the strike, has commented:

 

 

“Lots of people in Norwich have been affected by this repeated strike. People need to be able to get to work and go about their daily business. I urge National Express and the unions to come to an agreement as quickly as possible to get services back on track.

 

 

“I have tried to take the trains myself during the strikes. That’s just one passenger’s experience of the disruption that has been caused to people and businesses across the area. This repeated strike badly knocks confidence in our train services.”

 

 

National Express managers say the unions want a 2.5% pay rise, a four-day working week and a 4% increase in the number of train drivers. If these demands are not met there are likely to be further strikes throughout August.