Night time economy loses £3.5bn to strikes
As a result the NTIA has called on the various stakeholders in the dispute to ‘recognise the urgency of this matter and work together toward a resolution’
The night time economy has lost out on £3.5bn as a result of strikes by members of the RMT and ASLEF according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).
Alongside this, the NTIA believes that these losses could double if the industrial action continues into the festive season.
The news comes following the recent announcement that RMT and ASLEF members will be going on strike again in October.
ASLEF has announced that its members will be going on strike on 30 September and 4 October.
Alongside this the RMT has announced that its members on the London Underground will be going on strike on 4 October and 6 October.
Furthermore, ASLEF drivers will not be working overtime on the five days from October 2 to October 6 which may affect services.
As a result the NTIA has called on the various stakeholders in the dispute to “recognise the urgency of this matter and work together toward a resolution”.
Michael Kill, NTIA CEO, said: “We are deeply frustrated at the recent announcement of further rail action by the RMT and ASLEF. The continued disruptions to the rail services has caused immense damage to the hospitality, events and night-time economy sectors, resulting in staggering losses of up to £3.5bn. This situation is simply unsustainable, and we urge all parties involved to come to a resolution swiftly.
“The impact of these ongoing disruptions on our industry has been severe, and it cannot continue unchecked. As the transport committee rightly points out, our industries are among the hardest-hit, but we must concentrate our collective efforts on finding a resolution that ensures the vitality of these sectors.”
He added: “We are particularly concerned about the timing of these disruptions, as we enter what is traditionally known as the “golden quarter.”between October & December. This period is crucial for our businesses, as a significant portion of our annual revenue is generated during this time, and it helps sustain us through the slower months in early 2024.
“The losses incurred due to the rail disruptions threaten the livelihoods of countless individuals and businesses within our industry, with many worried that the continued industrial action could double the current losses to the sector.”
