The UK is facing its largest rail strike for more than 30 years with workers from the RMT union set to walk out for three days later this month.
More than 40,000 rail workers are set to take industrial action across the UK national rail network on 21, 23 and 25 June in a dispute over wages and jobs. RMT members voted to take strike action during a ballot held in May.
The strike on 21 June will affect 13 train operating companies with workers on the London Underground also due to take industrial action on that day in their own separate dispute.
The industrial action on 23 and 25 June will just affect the 13 train operators, but the RMT warned that the national rail network would be affected for the whole of that week.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Railway workers have been treated appallingly and despite our best efforts in negotiations, the rail industry with the support of the government has failed to take their concerns seriously.
“Our union will now embark on a sustained campaign of industrial action which will shut down the railway system.
“RMT is open to meaningful negotiations with rail bosses and ministers, but they will need to come up with new proposals to prevent months of disruption on our railways.”
All sides have stressed their willingness to hold further talks in an effort to settle the dispute, which has raised hopes that the strikes could be called off.
Rail Delivery Group, which represents the rail industry, urged the RMT to call off its “premature” strikes and “continue discussions to avoid unnecessary and disruptive industrial action”.
Steve Montgomery, the group’s chair, said: “We urge the RMT’s leadership to call off needless and damaging strikes and continue to work with us to ensure a fair deal for our people and for the taxpayer while securing the long-term future of the railways.
“No one wins in the event of a strike. Staff lose pay, the industry loses vital revenue making it harder to afford pay increases and passengers and businesses are disrupted.
“While we will keep as many services running as possible, sadly if this action goes ahead, significant disruption will be inevitable. We therefore urge passengers to plan their journeys carefully and find alternative ways to travel during the strike period where possible.”
Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, added that the train strikes should be cancelled to help continue the country's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
”People across Britain need to travel for work and leisure as we continue to recover from the pandemic," said Wratten.
”These strikes will undermine traveller confidence, damage the economy and prevent vital business being conducted. We all need to work together to keep Britain moving and recovering.”
Anthony Smith, chief executive of passenger group Transport Focus, said all parties should “get back around the table and resolve this matter without bringing the railway to a standstill”.
“It is passengers who suffer most in the event of strikes,” he added. “Passengers will need plenty of advance information about the strikes and what services will be running to allow them to plan their journeys during this uncertain time.”