Rail strikes could escalate if no deal can be agreed, the RMT’s general secretary has warned.
Mick Lynch said he can’t see Saturday’s strike being avoided as train passengers were urged to travel only if necessary today on the second day of RMT walkout on Britain’s railways.
Asked about the walkout on the weekend, he told Sky News: “It’s a tough job. It will take a lot of progress to get that strike off. I can’t see that happening today from where I am, but we will work constructively with the companies.”
The union confirmed industrial action would go ahead as planned after talks between the union, Network Rail and train operators hit a stumbling block once again on Wednesday afternoon.
At least 40,000 RMT members will picket amid an ongoing dispute over redundancies and real-term pay cuts. The railway will run at 20 per cent capacity, with many of the last inter-city trains set to leave in mid-afternoon.
The London Tube is mostly not affected though the new Elizabeth line and the London Overground, both of which use national rail lines, will be. Commuters are being told to complete their journeys on both lines by 6pm. Disruption is expected to continue into Friday.
