A railway union leader says he "cannot see a way out" from train strikes likely to begin in mid-June.
Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union workers employed by Network Rail and 13 train operators voted last week to proceed with industrial action. Operators affected include Northern, LNER, Crosscountry, and Transpennine. If the strike goes ahead as planned, there would be huge disruption across the entire rail network.
Dates for the strike have not been set yet. The RMT has to give two weeks notice of any industrial action. It is expected the strike would take place in June.
Read more: RMT members vote for huge rail strike
Talks are ongoing between the union and rail employers. But the RMT indicated it is not confident a deal will be struck to stop the strike.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “I cannot see a way out from the strikes at the moment unless there is a breakthrough and the Government instructs these companies – which they are doing to change their line rather than harden their line – it is very, very likely there will be strike action and it will be very soon.”
Mr Lynch told Sky: “There is no sign at the moment that anybody is backing down on their side of the table.”
He could not say the level of disruption union action may cause, but added: “We will decide that if it happens. We want to make the strike action as effective as possible from our point of view.
“Our members are prepared to take effective strike action in pursuit of the settlement of this dispute. I have got no idea how long that will take and I can’t determine from here what the outcomes and side effects of that will be.”
The strike is set to cause issues for freight too, due to Network Rail signal staff set to join the picket. On Tuesday, transport minister Baroness Vere said it was “very important that we try and prioritise rail freight wherever we can because it’s very important to supply chains”.
When will the rail strike take place?
Last week, RMT members voted to strike. But they have not yet settled on a date or dates of industrial action. Members will meet this week to decide when to call the strike.
The RMT has said "mid-June" is likely. If that's the case, we will know soon, as the union has to give 14 days notice.
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