mia warns of the impact of further rail strikes

The Meetings Industry Association (mia) is disappointed to learn that further industrial action is being planned as the train drivers’ union rejects 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.

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.”

Read the full mia Insights report here.