Rail chiefs expecting fresh strikes in two weeks’ time
Further industrial action could hit services after RMT stands firm and 11th-hour talks fail
‘We will continue with our industrial campaign until we get a negotiated settlement’
RAIL chiefs are braced for a fresh wave of strikes in two weeks after talks to reach a deal with unions failed.
Commuters were warned to avoid using trains today as large parts of the country are brought to a standstill for the second time in a week by a walkout by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).
After the 11th-hour talks to avoid that action broke down, Mick Lynch, the RMT general secretary, threatened more walkouts, saying the union would “continue with our industrial campaign until we get a negotiated settlement”.
Union sources said that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meets “every day” and can announce further strike dates with just two weeks’ notice.
Network Rail is expecting a decision on new dates to be made soon after this round of strikes ends on Saturday and is bracing for a fresh wave of action as early as July 9, insiders told The Daily Telegraph.
The potential walkouts threaten summer holidays as a second major union revealed that it was balloting train drivers for action across large parts of the country which could begin just as the schools break up.
Aslef has also balloted its members for industrial action over pay at 11 major train companies, including Arriva Rail London; Chiltern Railways; Great Western; LNER; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Transpennine Express; and West Midlands Trains. The ballot closes on July 11 and strikes could begin two weeks later.
A separate ballot for drivers at Avanti West Coast; Crosscountry and Direct Rail Services closes on July 27.
The RMT has a mandate which allows it to announce new strikes until late November without consulting members. Any action past that date will have to go to the ballot.
It came as a war of words broke out after Mr Lynch said Grant Shapps had “wrecked” negotiations by preventing Network Rail from withdrawing a letter threatening statutory redundancy for up to 2,900 RMT members.
“Until the Government unshackles Network Rail and the train operating companies, it is not going to be possible for a negotiated settlement to be agreed,” he added.
Mr Shapps said that claim was a “total lie” and he denied he had anything to do with the letter.
“The RMT continues to deflect from the fact that the only people responsible for the massive public disruption this week is them,” he said in a statement.”
“I want to urge Mick Lynch and his members to stop wasting time making false claims in the media and instead return to the negotiating table so an
‘The RMT continues to deflect from the fact that the only ones responsible for massive public disruption is them’
agreement can be reached,” Mr Shapps added.
The RMT was accused of staging a “pantomime walkout” of talks yesterday as they “hardened their line”.
A source close to the rail chiefs said that there had been “a complete lack of progress” before talks were called off yesterday afternoon, accusing the union of being “unwilling to negotiate or compromise” and being “determined to walk, not talk”.
RMT bosses have so far rejected a 3 per cent “no strings” pay rise for staff at Network Rail with a further 1 per cent raise contingent on productivity gains.
It comes as union bosses last night pointed to a 7.1 per cent pay rise struck by rail workers in Liverpool as a new benchmark.
Merseyrail – one of the few franchises run without government money – agreed the deal with the Transport Salaried Staff ’s Association (TSSA).
Merseyrail is overseen by Steve Rotherham, Liverpool’s Labour metro mayor.
TSSA chief Manuel Cortes said that the deal “clearly shows” the unions were looking for solutions and the Government “are intent on digging in their heels”.
A Network Rail spokesman said they were “disappointed” that the RMT had walked away but they “remain available for talks – day or night – and will do everything we can to avoid further disruption for our passengers”.
They added: “As a result of this needless and premature strike, rail services tomorrow will look much like they did on Tuesday – starting later in the morning and finishing much earlier in the evening (around 6.30pm).
“We are asking passengers to please check before you travel, be conscious of when your last available train is departing, and only travel by train if necessary.”