RMT members working for 14 train companies will stage a fresh strike on 2 June in their long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions, the union announced.
The strike will see 20,000 staff in catering, stations and working as train managers take action, affecting train services throughout the country.
Thousands of passengers will face disruption including those planning to go to the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley and the Epsom Derby on 3 June.
The RMT said it found the Rail Delivery Group’s (RDG) previous offer and associated conditions “unacceptable”.
“Despite contact between the parties since the strike on 13 May, no new proposals have been formulated for the RMT to consider,” the union tweeted today.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch added: “The Government is once again not allowing the Rail Delivery Group to make an improved offer that we can consider.
“Therefore, we have to pursue our industrial campaign to win a negotiated settlement on jobs, pay and conditions.
RMT General Secretary, Mick Lynch
“Ministers cannot just wish this dispute away.
“They underestimate the strength of feeling our members, who have just given us a new six-month strike mandate, continue to support the campaign and the action and are determined to see this through until we get an acceptable resolution.
“The Government now needs to unlock the RDG and allow them to make an offer that can be put to a referendum of our members.”
RMT members on the picket line earlier this year
Train drivers are also striking in coming weeks. Members of Aslef will walk out on 31 May and 3 June, the day of the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
Meanwhile, an RDG spokesperson blamed the union’s leadership for choosing to “prolong this dispute without ever giving their members a chance to have a say on their own offer”.
Read more: Number of days lost to strike action in 2022 highest since 1989
“In recent discussions with the RMT, we have continued to stand by the fair, industry-level dispute resolution proposal agreed line by line with their negotiating team, which would have resolved this dispute and given our lowest-paid staff a rise of up to 13%.
Euston RMT picket line earlier this year
“Instead, they will be subject to yet more lost pay through industrial action, customers will suffer more disruption, and the industry will continue to suffer huge damage at a time when the railway is taking more than its fair share from taxpayers to keep trains running post-COVID.
“We remain open and willing to engage in national-level talks so that we can secure a pay rise for our people and the long-term future of an industry vital to Britain’s economy.”
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