A strike involving more than 40,000 workers at Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will go ahead next week.
It comes after talks with workers failed to resolve the bitter dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out on Wednesday, July 27 and the strike is expected to have a major impact on rail services all across the country.
The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) has also announced its members at Avanti West Coast will go on strike the same day. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Strike action will take place next Wednesday as planned and our members are more determined than ever to secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions.
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“Network Rail have not made any improvement on their previous pay offer and the train companies have not offered us anything new. In fact Network Rail have upped the ante, threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50% cuts to maintenance work if we did not withdraw our planned strike action.
“The train operating companies have put driver-only operations on the table along with ransacking our members’ terms and conditions. RMT will continue to negotiate in good faith but we will not be bullied or cajoled by anyone.
“The Government need to stop their interference in this dispute so the rail employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us.”
Network Rail said on Twitter: "Only about half of Britain's railway will be open on 27 July due to strike action, with a very limited service running on lines that will be open.
"Please plan ahead and only travel in necessary."
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