Nadine Dorries, the Culture Secretary, said the July 27 strike would “bring misery to ordinary families” with tickets to two of the biggest sporting events of the summer. It is feared that the day of industrial action, which also coincides with the England men’s cricket team’s one-day international against South Africa in Bristol, could be the first of many to affect attendances at such events and other games. As well as the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the culmination of Euro 2022 and a summer of international cricket, these could potentially include the start of the Premier League and English Football League seasons. Dorris said: “The rail unions’ decision to target their strike action at a fantastic sporting summer is as cynical as they come. “The unions’ actions will seriously affect the spectator experience of both the Women’s Euro and the start of the Commonwealth Games. This will bring misery to ordinary families who just want to make the most of this opportunity. “We are working around the clock with the Football Association, Birmingham 2022 organisers, local councils and transport providers to make sure spectators can get to and from the venues safely and efficiently.” A wave of strikes during Birmingham 2022 could scupper plans to make it the most sustainable Commonwealth Games ever. Organizers planned for around 40% of the expected million spectators to travel to and from the events by train. However, the threat of strikes forced the West Midlands Combined Authority to draw up a contingency plan which included the Government spending £4 million on replacement rail buses. It was unclear on Wednesday night whether Birmingham 2022 would allow ticket holders unable or unwilling to travel in light of the strikes to seek a refund. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will walk out for 24 hours from midnight to midnight on July 27 in action that also risks leaving services in disarray the following morning. Separately, the Aslef drivers’ union was on the verge of launching its own strikes, which could take place between 2am. of July 27 and 2 a.m. of the following day. The strikes follow a “final offer” by Network Rail, which owns lines, stations and signals, to the RMT on Tuesday that overshadowed pay rises offered to nurses, teachers and doctors.
