The rail strikes are to go ahead after last ditch talks failed to resolve a dispute over pay, jobs and conditions, the RMT union said on Monday.
Services on the railways and London Underground are set be crippled from midnight in the biggest walkout in the industry for more than 30 years. Talks were held into Monday afternoon but the sides remain deadlocked over a deal.
The RMT said the train operators have now made an offer and there is no further offer from Network Rail following one which was rejected last Friday.
General secretary Mick Lynch said: “Faced with such an aggressive agenda of cuts to jobs, conditions, pay and pensions, RMT has no choice but to defend our members industrially to stop this race to the bottom.
“The strikes on Network Rail, the train operators and London Underground will go ahead, and we again call on our members to stand firm, support the action, mount the pickets and demonstrate their willingness to fight for workplace justice.”
Meanwhile, transport secretary Grant Shapps has denied that he is “the problem” in relation to rail strikes and called for the unions to sit down with employers.
Labour ‘bans frontbenchers from joining picket lines during rail strikes’
Labour has reportedly banned frontbenchers from joining picket lines in the upcoming rail strikes.
A message seen by PoliticsHome and sent to shadow cabinet members said: “We have robust lines. We do not want to see these strikes to go ahead with the resulting disruption to the public. The government have failed to engage in any negotiations.”
The message from the leader’s office then added: “However, we also must show leadership and to that end, please be reminded that frontbenchers including [parliamentary private secretaries] should not be on picket lines.
“Please speak to all the members of your team to remind them of this and confirm with me that you have done so.”
Joe Middleton20 June 2022 19:16
Railway worker on why she is striking
Railway worker Jessica Leather has written a brief note on Twitter telling people about why she is proud of being a member of the RMT union and the reason she is taking part in industrial action.
Joe Middleton20 June 2022 18:26
Rail strikes will cause ‘chaos and misery’ for millions, Grant Shapps says
Rail strikes will cause ‘chaos and misery’ for millions, Grant Shapps says
Joe Middleton20 June 2022 18:10