Some commuters are celebrating next week’s rail strikes and making plans to relive what they call the ‘blissful’ summer of 2020 – when the nation was gripped by Covid and lockdowns, while furlough schemes were sowing the seeds of today’s soaring inflation.
Next week’s shutdown of the rail network is set to cost the country an estimated £450m, and Britain is set to be plunged into a week of chaos when militant unions stage walkouts on June 21, June 23 and June 25 across the whole of the country with only half the network open and a severely restricted service in operation.
But many workers took to social media today to express their delight at being able to spend the week at home and were already looking forward to dusting off the home office equipment.
One social media user wrote: ‘Trains back on strike then. Thanks @northernassist this is going to be a fun summer of commuting…WFH again it is.’
Another added: ‘Am I the only who doesn’t mind the rail strikes meaning I can’t go to London next week? Happily work from home today topping up bird baths.’
A third welcomed the strikes, tweeting: ‘All for rail strikes providing it is Monday to Friday, providing the necessary incentive to WFH and give us a nostalgic blast of that blissful summer of 2020.
‘Meggy Foster, masks, teams quizzes, replays of Euro 96.’
Commuters across the UK are celebrating ahead of the biggest rail strike in 30 years as it means they will be able to work from home. Pictured: the planned services during the strike
Members of RMT union at Network Rail and 13 train operators will strike next Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Rail bosses have revealed a map showing how only around half of Britain’s train network will be open on the days rail workers from Network Rail and 13 train operators are striking next week.
The limited service is set to cause major disruption to travel with some lines only open from around 7.30am until 6.30pm.
Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said the strikes have been timed to cause ‘maximum disruption’.
Ahead of the the industrial action next week, some rail operators have issued ‘do not travel’ warnings, including Southeastern and Northern, while Network Rail has advised passengers to expect disruption and to plan ahead.
While some staff find it easier to work from home some or all of the time, many managers are concerned that long-term flexible working could reduce productivity, hamper teamwork and affect workers’ social lives.
Data published last month showed that, although the number of workers based in the office is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, it is steadily increasing – a trend that could stall when the country is brought to a grinding halt next week.
Three in four adults in Britain are now travelling to work at some point during the week – up from two-thirds a month ago, an official survey suggested.
The figures pointed to a shift in certain types of …….