By Najma Sultan and Alexandra Flores
Jessica Cooling, 18, Finance and Accounting student, said: “I wouldn’t protest against it but it is annoying”
Transport and other strikes have been impacting Holloway locals as sleep schedules, travel journeys, university and school timetables, and mental health have been disrupted or changed.
In February alone, four transport strikes have been planned, with train drivers walking off the job on the 1st, 3rd and 7th. Underground workers from Aslef on the Bakerloo also were striking on the 4th, and will most likely do so again tomorrow, the 11th of February.
Some workers have said that their mental health is being impacted due to the constant stress. The consistent tube strikes that were happening across the country in 2022 have gone into the new year. Striking has almost become the new normal within several professions, not just TFL, with many lecturers, teachers, nurses, and other NHS workers striking as well.
“Train drivers belonging to the Aslef and RMT unions are staging their eighth walk-out in the current round of strikes in pursuit of a pay claim,” the Independent said. Walk-outs have been consistent since June 2022.
Transport strikes are causing major disruptions all across London for workers and students, as well as locals and commuters to Holloway road. Locals have spoken up on the real issues they have been facing regarding the past strikes and the upcoming strikes.
Charlie Liange, 32, cafe worker at Dreamers located on Holloway Road, said: “It is very difficult to get to work without the train. I come from North West London and I take two lines to get here, the Metropolitan line and Piccadilly.” As both lines will be affected during this time, this has caused him to replan his journey and change his morning routine.
Despite the frustration, commuters are understanding about the reasoning behind the strikes. Jessica Cooling, 18, a Finance and Accounting student at London Metropolitan University, said: “I know it’s for a pay rise and if they believe they are not getting enough money in that case fight for your rights.”
The dispute between train workers and Network Rail, who owns this service sector, is about “pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions. Unions say any pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living – currently above 10%”, the BBC has reported.
But the pandemic has left them with less finances than before, which has led them to cut almost 1,900 jobs as part of their new policy changes, while others won’t be able to receive an increase in their salary. TFL employees are also striking for better working conditions and pay rises to cope with the rise of cost of living due to inflation.
Holloway support
Many Holloway Road residents support the strikes, to some extent. However, the disruptions it causes are not going unnoticed. Student Cooling said: “Yes all the time the Tube strikes impact me, I have missed so many days here. I am behind lectures.”
Different measures are being introduced on days when there are transport strikes, such as online meetings and lessons. Cooling said: “When you are trying to get an education and your exams and everything is online. Online is a good thing we can use but it is not the same.”
Whilst others are fighting for a pay rise some are facing their wages being cut as they are constantly being unable to reach work. Liange said: My boss is very empathetic about this situation but I can’t keep giving excuses. It will affect my role.” He went on to say: “ I won’t be paid as usual because of the strikes.”
It is a never ending cycle of missed lectures, missed shifts and missed meetings, which is exacerbated as lecturers go on strike as well. ”A lot of us have missed so many lectures, weeks worth because of the strikes. Since the summer they have many strikes and now in the winter,” said Cooling.
For more information about upcoming tube and train disruptions in the following days, check TFL and the National Rail website.
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