Hospitality vents frustration as further train strikes loom

It comes after the union, which represents rail workers, rejected what had been described as a 'best and final' pay offer from the body representing train operators.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), said over the weekend that the RMT will ballot members again 'soon' for future railway strikes, which to date are estimated to have cost the hospitality sector £2.5bn​​.

“It’s so frustrating that we now seem even further away from this dispute being resolved,” says Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality.

“A functioning rail network is one of the most important pillars of infrastructure in the country and it’s critical for so many consumers, workers and businesses. We’ve seen the damage the December strikes inflicted on hospitality, the wider economy and GDP. The sector, and the country, simply cannot afford that level of economic pain again.

“I again urge all involved in the negotiations to double down on reaching a resolution as soon as possible, to avoid inflicting even more pain on an already embattled sector.”