What are the rail trikes about and why are they happening?

Travel across the UK is set to be disrupted for much of this week as the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union launches the biggest strike to hit the British rail network in 30 years.

Travellers to events such as Glastonbury festival, the English vs New Zealand cricket match in Leeds and major gigs by the Rolling Stones and Elton John are having to re-think rail journeys and look into alternative transport.

Though there are only three official strike days, Network Rail has warned passengers to expect disruption across the whole week, as the knock-on effects of the 24-hour walkouts bleed into the days that follow.

But what is the reason for the disruption, and why are train workers striking?

Here’s everything we know so far.

Who is going on strike?

Members of the RMT union, who voted on industrial action in late May. In the ballot, 89 per cent of those who responded backed the strikes.

Some work for Network Rail – which controls the infrastructure of the UK’s railways – while others work for 13 individual train operators:

The union says some 40,000 rail workers in total will walk out on the three strike days in June.

Employees include catering staff, guards, engineering workers and signalling staff.

The walkouts will wipe out huge swathes of rail network, particularly in Wales, Cornwall, Scotland and parts of the North of England.

A skeleton network will operate on the strike days, with trains starting later than usual at around 7.30am and finishing earlier at around 6.30pm.

In addition, London Underground workers are set to strike for 24 hours on 21 June, meaning much of the Tube network will be closed on Tuesday.

What has the union said about the industrial action?

The union says it is protesting government cuts, working conditions and unsatisfactory pay rises against rising inflation.

On 18 June, the RMT union released a statement saying: “In the past few weeks, discussions have been taking place at senior level with Network Rail, Train Operators and London Underground.

“Despite the best efforts of our negotiators no viable settlements to the disputes have been created.

“It has to be re-stated that the source of these disputes is the decision by the Tory government to cut £4bn of funding from our transport systems – £2bn from national rail and £2bn from Transport for London.

“As…