New industrial action looks set to be co-ordinated to create the first national rail strike in the Uk in 25 years. Train drivers union Aslef is now balloting members at 10 rail companies on strikes.
Aslef says staff at three of the companies have already voted for industrial action and it is now awaiting the results from the other seven. At the same time the transport sector union RMT and the union which represents on-board staff and ticket office staff the TSSA are also planning action.
If co-ordinated, the combined strikes could create a nationwide rail blackout, reports the Telegraph. Rail company executives fear more than 90 per cent of trains would have to be stopped.
Last month, thousands of passengers faced disruption as trains were cancelled in industrial action.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “The claims made by the rail industry that support for our strike is waning are a fallacy. The people who turned up for work were managers and contractors who were not balloted, in a vain attempt to break the strike.
“Despite attempts to undermine our action, the rail network barely ran any services and many of those were delayed on a tiny timetable.
“Without the work of RMT members, the railway network cannot run in this country. And we will take further effective strike action if a negotiated settlement on pay, and job security cannot be reached.”
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "Our voice will be heard in the corridors of power and throughout the rail industry. Solidarity and unity are concepts they do not understand. But we do, and they will learn.
