"Thousands of rail signallers will stage two one-day strikes in a dispute over pay, threatening chaos on the network" - BBC News 6/12/06
The first strike will start at, if it materializes which seems likely after the latest vote, 1300 BST on June 20 - the 2nd strike is scheduled to commence at 2100 BST on June 25.
Network Rail leaders promise to "do all we can to run as many servides as possible and minimise the disruption".

My first reaction to this news? S"*% the B*&$$^"£

OK so it's a proper strike.

Maybe.

But it seems to me like we don't get a proper service half the time anyway.

Next weekend my daughter needs to get a train to a town about 30 miles away. All National Rail can offer is a Bus service to Bristol, then a train onwards, taking around 3 hours.

While that option is certainly cheaper, she can get a direct bus from Gloucester, taking just over an hour which is much easier and safer.

Yes, everyone wants a pay rise (and how!) but it seems a shame that they feel they have to disrupt the whole country in an attempt to achieve it.

The article says the first strike is timed for the day when England plays a World Cup game and will make it hard for folks to get home from work to see the game on tellie.

Or perhaps the strike is timed so that the railworkers can watch the game themselves at the nearest pub.

If the strike starts after the game, well, I have some sympathy. DH had to catch a train from London to Maidenhead not long after the end of the first game. Packed with drunken loud passengers who left trash everywhere. Two in his car threw up and another took a leak against the train before boarding. Blecch. Can't blame the railworkers for trying to get out of dealing with that lot.

BTike- i think you have something there - i bought the BBC's theory that the strike was scheduled to maximize problems for those going home or to their local to watch games when really i now think it's like you say that the rail workers also want the time off so they can watch the match - an even more sinister plot!

Well, they called off the strike for one of the days, the 20th, I think. The cancellation seemed to come just after England beat T & T. The latter strike call is still on--perhaps that's a more important game ;-)

They surely wouldn't be that sinister would they?

When it comes to what some fans would do to see their team play an important World Cup game, all bets are off!

Any word on June 26 planned strike? Update?

ttt

It's off, the strike.