UK: Strike Action Cancelled After the Queen’s Death

Some of the UK’s biggest strikes have been called off after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Unions representing Royal Mail postal workers and rail staff said that “out of respect for her service to the country and her family” they had chosen to cancel immediate strike action.

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

Some shops have announced temporary closures as a mark of respect.

In reaction to the announcement, planned strike action by postal workers on Friday 9 September, and RMT rail worker walkouts on 15 and 17 September were suspended.

The train drivers’ union Aslef also postponed a strike planned for 15 September.

The Rail Delivery Group said train timetables would be normal now that strikes were not going ahead.

Queen Elizabeth II has died

Unions propose coordinated strikes this autumn

A spokesperson from the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said it welcomed the decision by the RMT to call off next week’s strike action at a time of “national mourning”.

“The whole railway family is united in sending our condolences to the Royal Family,” the spokesperson said.

The TSSA rail union has also cancelled planned industrial action for September and said it will be “respecting the period of public mourning”.

BBC

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