The Meetings Industry Association (mia) says it is 'disappointed' to
learn that further industrial action is being planned after the train drivers’ union rejected the
latest pay offer.
With four new dates – 12, 13 and 31 May alongside 3 June –
being announced, the mia has warned of the devastating impact the previous strikes have
had on the business meetings and events sector.
The RMT has called a 24-hour rail strike for May 13, while the train drivers’ union Aslef has announced the three other dates for action.
The strikes are likely to stop most trains at the companies involved and will affect major events including Eurovision in Liverpool on Saturday 13 May and the FA Cup final in London on Saturday 3 June.
Kerrin MacPhie, chief executive of the mia, said: “We know
from our quarterly mia Insights research that the estimated value of cancelled business as a
result of the previous rail strikes exceeded £337m for the business meetings and events
sector, while over £550m of business was postponed.
“The continuing threats of further action will not only
impact existing bookings on the announced dates but will also knock the confidence of
bookers and add to the challenges being faced by the recovering sector, which also include
spiralling energy costs as well as supply chain and recruitment issues.
“We will be once again highlighting to government the impact
on business meetings and events in the hope that a resolution can be gained.”
