The rail workers' union has announced three more strike days next month after it said Network Rail had performed a 'u-turn' on an improved pay deal.
It means rail travellers will be hit by strikes on November 3,5 and 7.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said the strikes have been announced after Network Rail 'attempted to impose drastic changes in working practices on their staff'.
READ MORE: RSPCA investigating after defenceless kitten beaten and 'tortured with hot water'
More than 40,000 members of the RMT at Network Rail and 15 train operating companies are now poised to walk out again in a row over jobs, pay and conditions.
Network Rail's chief negotiator hit back and claimed the RMT 'seem intent on more damaging strikes rather than giving their members a vote on our offer'. He insisted a 'fair and affordable and improved deal is on the table'.
Tonight (Tuesday) the union claimed 'intense negotiations' had resulted in 'an agreement where the company would commit to an improved offer on pay and working towards a negotiated settlement'.
In a statement published on its website, the RMT alleged there had been a 'dramatic U-turn', adding: "Network Rail bosses reneged on their promises of an improved pay offer and sought to impose job cuts, more unsocial hours and detrimental changes to rosters.
"In a crass attempt to cut the union out of national negotiations, Network Rail have written directly to staff undermining delicate talks and have tried to rehash a previous deal that RMT has categorically rejected."
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: "The dishonesty of Network Rail bosses has reached a new low in this national rail dispute.
"On the one hand they were telling our negotiators that they were prepared to do a deal while planning to torpedo negotiations by imposing unacceptable changes to our members terms and conditions.
"Our members are livid with these duplicitous tactics, and they will now respond in kind with sustained strike action."
Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s chief negotiator, said: "A two-year 8% deal, with discounted travel and a new extended job guarantee to January 2025, is on the table ready to be put to our staff.
"Unfortunately, the leadership of the RMT seem intent on more damaging strikes rather than giving their members a vote on our offer. Me and my team remain available for serious talks and continue to negotiate in good faith.
"Our sector has a £2bn hole in its budget with many fewer passengers using our services. That reality is not going to change anytime soon and a fair and affordable and improved deal is on the table, ready to be implemented if our people were only offered the opportunity."
READ NEXT:
Drivers hit with 7p rise in petrol and diesel prices due to pound's decline
'I'd rather go to jail than pay £100 fine for cycling around my town'
Blood shortage emergency: In Manchester, there's plenty of donors but not enough staff
Bank of England governor warns of further interest rates rise amid mortgage crisis
Jeremy Hunt says taxes will rise as he gets 'clean slate' on disastrous mini-budget
