We can’t get to Eurovision! Music fans blast rail union bosses as train strikes force thousands to undertake nightmare trips to get to Liverpool
- The Eurovision Song Contest will see Mae Muller compete on behalf of the UK
- It is being held in Britain after Ukraine won last year amid the Russian invasion
Music fans have been left heartbroken in the UK today as they face missing out on attending the first Eurovision Song Contest in Britain in 25 years due to rail strikes, meaning they are unable to travel to Liverpool in time.
Thousands are expected to travel to Liverpool for Saturday’s grand final, which is being staged in the UK on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine – who are fighting a Russian invasion – after Sam Ryder came second for Britain in 2022.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have walked out at 14 train operators across England in an escalation of a long-running dispute over pay.
Ticketholders have been left furious as they see their plans scuppered, and face missing out on all the performances, including Mae Muller’s rendition of I Wrote A Song.
The strike follows action on Friday by train drivers in the Aslef union, which crippled services, with some parts of England having no trains all day.
Euston station was largely empty on Friday, despite thousands of people needing to travel to Liverpool
Platforms at Kings Cross will remain empty today as fans must find an alternative way to reach the contest
Thousands of people will descend on the city throughout Saturday ahead of the grand Eurovision final (Pictured: Crowds in Liverpool watch the second semi-final of the contest on Thursday)
Early on Saturday morning Britons slammed the unions for choosing Eurovision weekend, when the UK is hosting thousands of extra visitors, to stage the strike.
One fan, who faced two changes to her flight and a delay of two-and-a-half hours at Newquay airport this morning, said online: ‘I give up.’
A second added: ‘So sad you have made your decision to strike to cause maximum disruption to hardworking people and the Eurovision Song Contest being hosted for Ukraine.
‘You have a right to strike but you didn’t need to do it this weekend! Bad choice!!’
Another fan said: ‘How unfair, especially on the people of Ukraine, Liverpool, and all those who wanted to travel to Eurovision.’
Others saw today’s strikes as a symptom of a larger problem: ‘One of the first things Eurovision visitors will encounter is the rail strike: welcome to world beating broken Britain. Not a good look for a government which cynically recruits such events and the Coronation to its PR machine.’
Aslef’s general secretary Mick Whelan revealed there had been no meetings with the Government since early January despite continuing deadlock over the pay row.
He said drivers were prepared to continue taking industrial action until they had a decent pay offer.
Aslef has described an offer of an eight percent wage rise over two years as ‘risible’.
Mr Whelan, who joined picket lines in Manchester and Liverpool, said: ‘The Government seems to think they can starve us back to work, or that we will give up, but that isn’t going to happen.
Singer Mae Muller will perform I Wrote A Song as she carries British hopes at this year’s competition
‘We are in this for the long haul and there will be more strikes.’
Aslef has called further stoppages on May 31 and June 3, the day of the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
READ MORE: Who is Eurovision’s UK entry Mae Muller? Everything you need to know about the shop assistant turned hitmaker who has toured with Little Mix and boasts a huge online following
The Rail Delivery Group said that after many weeks of negotiations with the Aslef leadership it had made a ‘revised and fair offer’ including a pay rise of 8% over two years.
‘It would have introduced overdue, common-sense improvements already in place in parts of the network, which would will see more trains running on time for passengers.
‘Sadly, this has been rejected,’ said a spokesperson.
Passengers were urged to check before they travel on Saturday.
Merseyrail is not affected by the industrial action and is expected to run a normal service during the Eurovision Song Contest.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said he expected solid support for Saturday’s walkout.
He said: ‘This strike takes place in the wake of a recent re-ballot of members working for 14 train operating companies which massively re-affirmed a mandate for further strike action.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said he expected solid support for Saturday’s walkout
Rail, Maritime and Transport union members on the picket line outside Euston station, London on Saturday
Thousands are expected to travel into Liverpool to witness the final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, which is the UK is staging on behalf of last year’s winners, Ukraine. Pictured is Queen Machine performing at Thursday’s semi final event
‘Throughout this dispute the Government has tied the hands of the railway companies and prevented them offering a fair deal.
‘We are striking so that the employers and government can see the huge anger amongst rail workers is very real and they need to recognise that fact, face reality and make improved proposals.
‘We are calling for the rail companies to get around the table with RMT and negotiate in good faith for a better deal for rail workers.’
On Saturday morning, he was pictured on a picket line outside Euston station with a group of striking rail workers, who were holding bags which read: ‘Mick Lynch for Prime Minister’.
The RMT pointed out that when it reballoted its members recently there was a ‘massive’ vote to continue taking strike action.
Saturday was chosen for a strike as it was the last date allowed under employment laws, said the union.
There will be more train services on Saturday than on Friday but many companies are restricting their number of routes and hours of operation.
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