Rail strikes to cost hospitality sector £132m
Upcoming rail strikes are set to cost the hospitality sector £132m, bringing the cumulative impact of the strikes to £3.25bn, UKHospitality has said.
Members of the ASLEF union are set to strike on June 3 following industrial action on Wednesday, while an RMT strike on June 2 involving 20,000 catering and station staff, as well as train managers, is set to cause further disruption.
UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The May half term normally represents a bumper week for hospitality, with typically sunny weather encouraging families to head out on activities, visits and staycations.
“Unfortunately, we’ve seen time and time again that rail strikes put a significant dampener on any sales as visitors are deterred from booking visits or eating and drinking out. This time around that means families staying at home and football fans travelling to the capital for the FA Cup final disrupted.”
In a message from RMT’s general secretary Mick Lynch released on Thursday morning, he told members that their “efforts and commitment [are] having an effect and making a difference”.
“That’s why we must continue to stand firm in the strike action this Friday and in the future to get a deal for our members”.