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rail strikes train pics.JPG
Reuters
rail strikes train pics.JPG
Reuters
UK News

Christians called to 'be sensitive' and 'unite' as further rail strikes loom

by Sophie Drew

With rail workers set to strike again in July, and then again in August, Christians are being encouraged to show grace and patience.

The strikes are set to take place on 27th July, and 18th and 20th August. 

More than 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operators will walk out in a row over jobs, pay and conditions. 

It's not the first time they have gone on strike this summer; in June, three days of strike actions bore a week of disruptions. 

It's caused some frustration amongst commuters, many of whom believe rail workers are already paid enough. 

Speaking to Premier in response, Liam Johnston from Railway Mission said: "The idea that people earn less than railway workers is a valid one. 

"However, the figures that are banded about by government or the media are a bit misleading. 

"There are people who work on the railway that are paid as little as around £18,000 a year

"Everyone bands together the train drivers and their salaries, and yes, they do get paid well, but they have an extremely responsible job of driving a train keeping people safe. 

"They have to concentrate constantly.

"It's not the same as driving a car, or a bus. It's a lot more difficult. 

"I think as Christians, we should be approaching the strikes with sensitivity. 

"Everybody in this country, without exception is going through a difficult time post pandemic, we also have the crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. Inflation is soaring at the moment, everybody is struggling. 

"Really, as Christians, we need to unite together to pray; not so much for a single industry, but we need to pray for this nation and for this world; that these things that have caused the current situation are resolved in a way that brings down the cost of living so that people aren't needing to strike to get more money in order to put food on their tables, or pay for the astronomical fuel bills that we're all going to be facing this winter. 

"We need to be praying that somehow there is an intervention politically, but also spiritually; that God will somehow help our nation and are the world governments to come together to resolve the problems that we all face at this time."

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