Rail strikes: RMT announces two more dates in September
Britain’s railways will be brought to a standstill later this month after the RMT union announced two more 24-hour rail strikes in the long-running dispute over pay and working conditions.
About 40,000 workers at Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will strike on 15 and 17 September.
The first date coincides with the latest Aslef train drivers’ strike announced yesterday and means that virtually no trains will run across most of Britain that day. Limited services on main lines have run during previous RMT strikes.
The September walkouts are likely to disrupt services over four days, and the union said it will “effectively shut down” the rail network on the Thursday and Saturday strike days.
Talks between the union and rail industry have been ongoing but there has been no breakthrough or new offers from either Network Rail or the operators, the union said.
The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “Our members have no choice but to continue this strike action.
“Network Rail and the train operating companies have shown little interest this past few weeks in offering our members anything new in order for us to be able to come to a negotiated settlement.”
Lynch said the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, was continuing in a “dereliction of duty” by refusing to negotiate and “shackling the rail industry” from making a deal.
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“We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes,” he said.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association has also announced a strikes by its members in late
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