Christmas presents could be affected by rail strikes as festive supplies arrive

[Rob Thompson]

Christmas presents could be affected by rail strikes as festive supplies arrive.

Source - Daily irror

Date - uly 2022

By - Andy Lines

Christmas presents could be affected by the series of rail strikes, it was claimed last night.

Supplies for the festive season are already under way and the walkouts are set to cause logistical problems.

More than 600 freight trains run in the UK every day, carrying billions of pounds of goods such as TVs, clothes and Christmas decorations.

One senior industry figure said: “As the year goes on, freight gets busier, particularly containers, so that’s the big worry.

“The China surge will come in –and those ships are sailing now.

“It always gets busier into August, particularly when we start seeing Christmas stuff come through.”

Last week, ministers decided to prioritise rail freight over passenger services. They claimed they were trying to ensure supermarkets did not run out of food.

It came as 40,000 rail staff walked out for three days as they demand pay rises and better conditions.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union is now thought to be targeting fresh industrial action at the end of next month.

General Secretary Mick Lynch has been given a mandate from members to continue strikes for up to six months. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson said there was “no point” giving workers inflation-busting pay hikes to ease the cost of living crisis.

[Rob Thompson]

Here we go again, the media attempting to panic folk to go out and spend well in advance of Christmas. grrrrr

[Black River Santa]

55 minutes ago, Rob Thompson said:

Here we go again, the media attempting to panic folk to go out and spend well in advance of Christmas. grrrrr

And unfortunately, it always works. 

[Sundblom Santa]

2 hours ago, Rob Thompson said:

Here we go again, the media attempting to panic folk to go out and spend well in advance of Christmas. grrrrr

1 hour ago, Black River Santa said:

And unfortunately, it always works. 

Yup, sadly. It’s Panic Buying 101 (or maybe I should say Media Spin 101). Of course, panic buying can also lead to price hikes (which we already have a lot of thanks to inflation), which hurts folks at the bottom. And in preparation for Christmas, too. 

[Dave Vermeulen]

At least the one that may happen in the US won’t last very long. As has happened in the past a Federal Judge orders everyone back to work and the dispute will go to Congress now that the PEB has given it’s recommendations.

[Warrenton Santa]

This is truly sad

[Rob Thompson]

36 minutes ago, Warrenton Santa said:

This is truly sad

I dont think the majority of the general public will fall for it there have been far to many scare tactics via the media.

Edited August 23, 2022 by Rob Thompson

[Warrenton Santa]

4 minutes ago, Rob Thompson said:

I dont think the majority og the general public will fall for it there have been far to many scare tactics via the media.

I dont watch the news at home. only at work  - there is no common sense left in the news media any more. I have more important things to do with my time. However when we punish the children, i got upset

[Rob Thompson]

12 minutes ago, Warrenton Santa said:

I dont watch the news at home. only at work  - there is no common sense left in the news media any more. I have more important things to do with my time. However when we punish the children, i got upset

Similar with me, I will catch the headlines on the radio, but I dont make an effort to watch it. Too depressing 

[Schwindy]

Typically I watch for the weather, and THEY GET THAT WRONG ALL THE TIME AS WELL!

SILENCE!!!!!!! 

[Sundblom Santa]

3 hours ago, Schwindy said:

Typically I watch for the weather, and THEY GET THAT WRONG ALL THE TIME AS WELL!

SILENCE!!!!!!! 

Let it be known that @Schwindy made me do this:

[Dave Vermeulen]

Rail strike is still likely here in the US. But it will be too late into the season to impact Christmas. Good thing I’m on vacation for December!

[Rob Thompson]

1 minute ago, Dave Vermeulen said:

Rail strike is still likely here in the US. But it will be too late into the season to impact Christmas. Good thing I’m on vacation for December!

We are now set for postal strikes in the run up to Christmas in addition to rail strikes

[Dave Vermeulen]

3 minutes ago, Rob Thompson said:

We are now set for postal strikes in the run up to Christmas in addition to rail strikes

Seems like a UK Postal strike would have a much more immediate impact. Does the UK have anything similar to our Rail Labor Act that governs the rail unions and carriers when it comes to self-help actions?

[Rob Thompson]

2 hours ago, Dave Vermeulen said:

Seems like a UK Postal strike would have a much more immediate impact. Does the UK have anything similar to our Rail Labor Act that governs the rail unions and carriers when it comes to self-help actions?

In terms of strike action there is nothing to prevent this. There are some government sectors eg Armed services that are obviously regulated in that sense. It used to include health staff, however I noted last week that the Nurses Union have amended there membership conditions etc which wold now allow nurses et all to take strike action if voted for. Its highly unlikely that this would actually happen, but it is a warning to government that people are reaching their limits in terms of financial restraints, cost of living increases etc

It doesnt bode well and sadly I see  very unstable times ahead.

I will not comment on my own views as this is not the place