Rail strike deal could restore hospitality’s ‘lifeblood’

Rail union Aslef’s pay agreement with the Government, if approved, could end strikes and trigger recovery for the hospitality sector after two years of disruption amounting to an estimated £3.5 billion in losses.

The Government has reached a pay agreement with rail union Aslef to end strike action by rail workers. Union members will now vote on whether to accept the agreement and draw a line under more than two years of rail disruptions.

Organisations representing the hospitality industry have pushed for a resolution to the pay dispute which led to the industrial action. UKHospitality has estimated losses of more than £3.5 billion for on-trade businesses due to travel disruptions.

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, called the agreement announced this morning “extremely positive”. She urged both parties to secure a “firm end” to ongoing strike action, highlighting the financial losses incurred by F&B businesses as a result.

“We estimate that hospitality businesses have lost more than £3.5 billion in sales throughout the period when businesses have been forced to shut, staff prevented from coming into work and families forced to cancel plans,” she said. “I’m pleased that all parties involved have come together to reach this proposal and I hope this will see a line drawn under the dispute. Once resolved, we can enter a period of rebuilding trust in our rail network.”

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, echoed Nicholls sentiment, arguing that strike action has “severely impacted the night-time economy, creating significant barriers for businesses, workers and patrons alike”.

“The proposed pay deal, which marks a potential end to the long-running rail dispute, is a positive sign that the tide is turning,” he said. “While there is still much work to be done, particularly in rebuilding the financial stability of our sector, the prospect of renewed stability in rail services is a welcome development. Reliable transport is the lifeblood of the night-time economy, ensuring that millions of people can access our venues and events safely and conveniently.”

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