London: As the nationwide rail strike in Britain continued for the third day today, while railway stations remained deserted on one side, the hopes of millions of people to venture out for weekend sightseeing were dashed.
The rail companies said that only one-fifth of the passenger train services will run as around 40,000 cleaners, signallers, maintenance personnel and staff of stations of the railways are leaving the job and going on strike.
This is Britain’s largest and most disruptive railway strike in the last 30 years. These workers had also gone on a 24-hour strike on Tuesday and Thursday over the wages and work situation.
Rail, Maritime and Transport Unions have been demanding a suitable hike in wages as inflation in the country is currently at its peak in the last four decades, making it difficult for the workers to make a living.
The rail companies, however, are now in the process of reducing costs after two years due to lack of full funding from the government during the coronavirus pandemic.