Britain is "heading in the direction" of mass industrial action akin to a general strike, a trade union boss has warned.
Mick Whelan, head of train drivers union Aslef, vowed that workers would "keep fighting" until they get better pay and suggested strikes could be coordinated on a mass scale in the future.
Speaking after Aslef announced fresh strike action in January, he said he was “sorry” for the disruption to passengers but added: "Unless we have an impact, how do we change things?"
Asked if a general strike was possible, Mr Whelan told LBC: “I think we're very much heading in that direction… We've seen massive amounts of support on the picket lines and all around the country."
He said: “Every worker has a family. Everybody has people in different sectors that see how people are suffering and what they're doing and why they're doing it and what we're not getting is massive blowback.”
A general strike, where unions across multiple industries took part in coordinated action, was held in Britain in 1926 with 1.5 million workers walking out.
Trade unions laws, which were tightened under Margaret Thatcher, now ban unions from going on strike in support of other unions.
Unions can coordinate strikes so they take place at the same time but they must already have successfully balloted members in individual workplaces.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch has previously said unions have a “duty to coordinate” industrial action as employers and the government were “coordinating” an “attack” on workers.
Aslef, which represents 96% of train drivers across Great Britain, has already called five one-day strikes between July and November this year.
This week it announced another one-day strike on January 5 after members at 15 train companies voted overwhelmingly to walk out over pay.
Aslef's walkout falls in between two 48-hour strikes on January 3, 4, 6 and 7 by the RMT, crippling rail services across the country for an entire week.
It comes as as the Government announced rail fares in England are to be increased by up to 5.9% from March next year in another blow to passengers.
The Lib Dems branded the decision a "kick in the teeth" for commuters who have faced endless disruption.
A DfT spokesperson said: "Aslef’s decision to strike is incredibly disappointing for businesses, commuters and families who have been impacted by this damaging dispute for far too long.
“We urge Aslef to rethink, call off strikes and speak to employers to agree a new way forward, which will secure the long-term future of the industry, deliver for their members and pave the way for necessary reforms.”
