The railway strikes are set to continue today (June 23) as no agreement has been reached as yet.

If stalemate continues, the next day of strike action will be on Saturday, June 25.

There is currently no indication that ongoing negotiations will be successful.

Unions have requested a seven per cent pay increase which is still under the rate of inflation, but government ministers have stated unions will not win pay demands.

Salisbury residents have mixed views about the strike.

Carole Banton, 66, said: “I agree with the strike, I know it affects people but since covid, many more work from home so it doesn’t affect as many people as before. I think the misconception is that it is all about money, but it is also about compulsory redundancies.

“I would feel much happier on a train if a guard was there and not just the driver. Safety is a real issue. I would like the government to negotiate, it just feels to me that they want to be seen as the good guys and for the unions to be the bad guys. I think the government has forced their hands.”

Jeff Page, 58, a charity manager, said: “One hundred per cent support for RMT members and they are putting up a great fight against job cuts and for a decent pay rise.”

The Salisbury Journal spoke to employees who were on strike at Salisbury Railway Station on Monday, and they were quick to point out that the strike was not so much about pay but about the changes to contracts and redundancies.

They also said that changes could impact safety measures.

One Salisbury resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “Whilst I do have sympathy with the issues the rail workers are dealing with, I don’t think it is appropriate to hold their customers to ransom. Just using my personal situation, it would have cost me £1,000 to cancel this week’s planned arrangements. Instead, I’ve had to go ahead but stay in a town 100 miles from home.

“This has cost me about £200 for a hotel near the station. Plus, it is not clear what trains will be running on the Sunday for me to get back. Removing an essential public service is unjust and it hits the innocent customers who are reliant on them.”

The strike action was announced last week by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union after talks over redundancies and pay proved unproductive. Passengers are advised to check routes or to avoid travelling by train.

If the strike has affected you or if you support the strike action, please email us: newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk

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