Strikes cripple Britain's railways, unions warn of more to come

FILE PHOTO: RMT union members picket outside Victoria Station, on the first day of national rail strike, in London, Britain June 21, 2022. REUTERS/John Sibley

LONDON (Reuters) - Strikes crippled Britain's rail network on Thursday as union bosses, train operating firms and the government faced off over demands that workers' pay increases keep pace with surging inflation.

A spike in the cost of food and fuel is pushing many household budgets to the brink and is driving trade unions to demand higher pay increases for their members. The government has urged wage restraint to avoid an inflationary spiral.