Union vows to ‘shut down the train network’ with new strike as 40,000 workers from Network Rail and 15 firms to walk out
RAIL unions have vowed to "shut down" Britain's train network with a huge strike.
More than 40,000 workers from Network Rail and 15 train operating companies will walk out on October 8 in the long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.
Rail strikes are already planned on October 1 and 5, threatening fresh travel chaos for passengers.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said it was encouraging that the new Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan had met the union.
He said: "We welcome this more positive approach from the government to engage with us as a first step to finding a suitable settlement.
"However, as no new offer has been tabled, our members have no choice but to continue this strike action.
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"We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes."
The fresh strikes and threats follow a summer of travel misery inflicted on Brits by transport unions as workers demand pay increases amid the soaring cost-of-living crisis.
The RMT union, responsible for the strikes earlier this year, also went on strike last month over pay disputes.
Those strikes saw nation's rail networks thrown into chaos on August 18 and August 20 when around 40,000 staff hung up their uniforms.
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The strike action followed walkouts on July 27 and July 30.
A planned strike by drivers on September 15 was called off as a mark of respect following the Queen's death.
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