Sheffield rail strikes: passengers have their say ahead of latest round of action

Another round of national rail strikes is set to cause further disruption in Sheffield this month as the pay dispute continues.
By Jonathan Xu
Published 11th Aug 2022, 09:13 BST
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Ahead of the latest Network Rail walkouts, planned for Thursday, August 18 and Saturday, August 20, approach, we visited Sheffield railway station to get passengers’ thoughts.

Most people we spoke to said they sympathised with striking workers, who they said had a ‘good case’ and deserved ‘decent paying conditions’, but some said the ongoing disruption was beginning to take its toll and one person called on the Government to step in and ‘deal with’ striking workers.

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Sheffield passengers give their views on the rail strikes: “I think they have the right to strike and have decent paying conditions so I’m ok with it. But I understand it could upset a few people. It needs to be done.”Sheffield passengers give their views on the rail strikes: “I think they have the right to strike and have decent paying conditions so I’m ok with it. But I understand it could upset a few people. It needs to be done.”
Sheffield passengers give their views on the rail strikes: “I think they have the right to strike and have decent paying conditions so I’m ok with it. But I understand it could upset a few people. It needs to be done.”
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“This strike is not the first strike and I’ve already been affected by the strike previously,” said one passenger.

"I think it’s a shame when everyone’s trying to get around the country. It is summer, everyone has plans. So it obviously disrupts everybody’s travel immensely.

“The train is the only way that some people can travel. I wish they wouldn’t do it but I hope they get whatever they are looking for after the strike.”

Another person said: “I personally think people have the right to strike particularly for the undergoing economic hardships. I completely understand it. But that’s not to say we won’t feel disruption. I’ve got sympathy with them but equally, it just bothers with us the striking.”

Sheffield passengers have their say on the rail strikes: “I personally think people got the right to strike particularly for the undergoing economic hardships. I completely understand it. But that’s not to say we won’t feel disruption. I have got sympathy with them but equally, it just bothers with us the striking.”Sheffield passengers have their say on the rail strikes: “I personally think people got the right to strike particularly for the undergoing economic hardships. I completely understand it. But that’s not to say we won’t feel disruption. I have got sympathy with them but equally, it just bothers with us the striking.”
Sheffield passengers have their say on the rail strikes: “I personally think people got the right to strike particularly for the undergoing economic hardships. I completely understand it. But that’s not to say we won’t feel disruption. I have got sympathy with them but equally, it just bothers with us the striking.”

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A third commented: “I think they get paid enough and they shouldn’t go ahead with it. The Government should deal with them. Also, a lot of people can work from home now so I don’t think they have the impact that they used to. It’s just annoying people now. I don’t think anyone supports that.”

A fourth passenger said: “I think they got a good case. Totally agree with them. The whole country should go out on strike. It should be a national strike. The country is in a total mess. People need money to live.”

Another person said: “I think they have the right to strike and have decent paying conditions so I’m ok with it. But I understand it could upset a few people. It needs to be done.”

Sheffield passengers give their views on the rail strikes: "I think they get paid enough and they shouldn’t go ahead of it. The government should deal with them. Also, a lot of people can work from home now so I don’t think they have the impact that they used to. It’s just annoying people now. I don’t think anyone supports that.”Sheffield passengers give their views on the rail strikes: "I think they get paid enough and they shouldn’t go ahead of it. The government should deal with them. Also, a lot of people can work from home now so I don’t think they have the impact that they used to. It’s just annoying people now. I don’t think anyone supports that.”
Sheffield passengers give their views on the rail strikes: "I think they get paid enough and they shouldn’t go ahead of it. The government should deal with them. Also, a lot of people can work from home now so I don’t think they have the impact that they used to. It’s just annoying people now. I don’t think anyone supports that.”

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As well as the Network Rail walkouts on August 18 and 20, members of the drivers’ union Aslef at nine train companies – Arriva Rail London, Avanti West Coast, Crosscountry, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express), Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, London Overground, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains – are due to strike this Saturday, August 13.

Related topics:SheffieldNetwork RailGovernmentTravelAslef