Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has called on the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union to return to the negotiations table as the first day of rail strikes gets underway.
It's estimated that 80% of train services will not be running over the three days of strikes, making it the largest rail strike in over 30 years and causing chaos for commuters across Britain. Speaking to Sky News, Mr Shapps said the strikes are a "stunt by the unions who could settle this today".
More than 40,000 staff are expected to take part. It's thought union negotiators are rejecting a 2% pay increase offer. The union also claims Network Rail wants to cut up to 2,500 jobs as part of a £2bn reduction in spending, workers who maintain tracks, signals and overhead lines affected. Ticket sales have fallen 25% since the pandemic and revenue falling. Taxpayer subsidy has risen to £16bn to keep services running.
