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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ryan Merrifield

Train strikes: Passengers urged to check journeys as latest walkout ends today

Trains are set to run again later today after the latest round of strikes over pay which saw many struggle to get home for Christmas.

Members of The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) will get back to work from 6am.

Many services will start from around 9am - though in some places this won't be until midday.

Network Rail - which runs the rail system - says it will be operating at 70% and has urged travellers to double check if their service is running.

But expects it to return to 90% in the coming days.

The company said in a statement: "Staff are returning to work so it is [a] much later start-up for passenger services.

"Passengers should really check before they travel so they don't just turn up at a station for no trains to be there."

ScotRail, meanwhile, plans to restore some trains from 7.15am - though warns disruption will continue all day.

Are you affected by the rail strikes today? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk

People prepare to board trains at Kings Cross Station (PA)

It said: "Routes across the country will see services start up later than normal due to signal boxes opening at different times following industrial action."

A total of 14 train companies have been involved in the mass walkouts.

It comes amid a winter of discontent which has seen nurses, ambulance staff and Border Force workers all on strike in recent days.

Rail strikes are due to begin again between January 3 and 4 and then again from January 6 to 7.

An overtime ban for union members at the effected companies runs until January 2.

Travellers rushed to get the last trains home on Christmas Eve (ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The RMT has said the dispute, which also includes conditions and jobs, will continue unless the Government gives the industry a mandate to negotiate a settlement.

The union accused ministers of "abdicating their responsibility".

General secretary Mick Lynch has claimed the Government is blocking rail employers from making a deal.

Since meeting a minister earlier this month there have been no further scheduled negotiations to try to prevent upcoming strikes on Network Rail, said the RMT.

The union accused ministers of "abdicating their responsibility" (ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

It pointed out that it has agreed deals in every part of the railway network where the Department for Transport is not involved.

Pay offers from Network Rail and the train operating companies are "well below" what has been agreed in Scotland, Wales and where metro mayors have control of the rail franchise, the RMT said.

A rejected offer from NR was conditional on "ripping up" working conditions for railway workers, while on the train operators, RMT members would have had to accept a "paltry" pay rise, driver only operations across the whole network, and the closure of all ticket offices, creating an inaccessible and less safe railway, said the union.

Mr Lynch said: "The union remains available for talks to resolve this dispute.

"But until the Government gives the rail industry a mandate to come to a negotiated settlement on job security, pay and condition of work, our industrial campaign will continue into the new year, if necessary."

Mick Lynch has claimed the Government is blocking rail employers from making a deal (PA)

A Department of Transport spokesperson said: "Far from blocking a deal, the Transport Secretary and rail minister have facilitated talks and ensured a fair and reasonable offer was put forward, which the RMT rejected despite a significant number of members voting to accept.

"After two years of virtual Christmases, the British public deserve better than to have their festive celebrations impacted by strikes. We urge them to step back, reconsider and accept the fair offer put to them, so we can start 2023 by ending this damaging dispute."

The strikes were branded "one man's ego trip" at Westminster in a sideswipe at Mr Lynch.

The criticism of the RMT leader was levelled by House Of Cards author Lord Dobbs ahead of the walkout on Christmas Eve.

Business minister Lord Callanan also hit out at the workers' organisation, accusing it of "seeking to punish the public" and condemning its "appalling behaviour".

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