Fears of rail strike chaos

CONTINGENCY plans are being drawn up to try to keep passenger and freight trains running in the event of industrial action after unions warned of “potentially the biggest rail strike in modern history”.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union is balloting 40,000 members on the move, which network sources have reportedly said would create “serious challenges” in keeping goods moving and supermarket shelves stocked.

The vote, which is due to close on Tuesday, includes staff on Network Rail and 15 train operating companies, with the RMT saying the action is being taken over pay, compulsory redundancies and safety concerns. The union has also announced it intends to ballot members in Scotland for strike action, following what it describes as a “derisory” 2.2% pay offer by ScotRail and proposed timetable changes which it branded a “kick in the teeth” to workers.

And another union, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), has warned of a “summer of discontent” with similar action on the way unless pay disputes are resolved. TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes has said many members have not seen a wage increase for two years.

“If the Department for Transport, Train Operating Companies and Network Rail don’t come forward very soon with proposed pay increases, which at least match inflation, a summer of discontent is on the way across our railways,” Mr Cortes said.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will meet with the Prime Minister and Chancellor to discuss the threat amid fears in Whitehall that the action could be worse than the junior doctor walkout in 2015, The Times has reported.

But rail bosses could respond by reserving certain times of day exclusively for the passing of freight trains, according to the paper.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “With passenger numbers down and our railways on life support, we need to act to make them fit for the future. We want a fair deal for staff, passengers and taxpayers so money isn’t taken away from other essential public services like the NHS. The unions should talk to us about the proposals before causing irreparable damage to our railways.”