Rail passengers are set to face travel disruption in the build up to Christmas as workers stage another series of 48-hour strikes in a long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.
The RMT union has confirmed that the planned industrial action will take place on 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th December with greatly reduced services on 15th and 18th.
The strikes will also continue early into the new year on 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th January with reduced services on 1st and 5th also.
More than 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will walk out after Mick Lynch, the RMT general secretary, said the latest offer of an 8% pay increase does not meet criteria for securing a long-term settlement on job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions for staff.
The RMT has also issued an overtime ban for its members between 18th December and 2nd January meaning non-union members and managers will be relied upon to provide a service to run between 7.30am and 6.30pm on strike days allowing trains to run across half the rail network.
Mr Lynch added: “We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria for securing a settlement on long term job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions.
“The Rail Delivery Group and Department for Transport (DfT), both knew this offer would not be acceptable to RMT members.
Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s chief negotiator, said: “No one can deny the precarious financial hole in which the railway finds itself. Striking makes that hole bigger and the task of finding a resolution ever more difficult.
“Only through reform, that will not result in anyone losing their job, can savings be made that can then be converted into an improved offer. And while progress has been made over these last two weeks, we still have yet to find that breakthrough.
“We will not give up and hope that the RMT will return to the table with a more realistic appreciation of the situation.”
