Football fans and festival-goers were among those affected by Saturday’s strikes by tens of thousands of rail workers, which were estimated to have left just 20% of the network running. Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the Rail, Shipping and Transport (RMT) union, said public support for action by his members was “firm”, as he rejected suggestions they would agree to an offer which was already on the table, if it was put to a vote. “I have to say it’s very possible, given the gap between us at the moment,” he told BBC Breakfast on Saturday when asked if the union could take more action at a later date beyond what is already planned. His comments come on the heels of a third consecutive day of industrial action by transport workers this week. Network Rail, which runs the rail network across Great Britain, and several train companies faced disruption on Saturday due to striking workers from the RMT and Transport Salaried Staff Union (TSSA). Train services will be significantly reduced, with only a fifth – around 4,300 of the usual 20,000 – running and half the lines closed. Trains will only operate between approximately 7.30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., while morning train services will also be affected. “I speak to thousands of our members every week, we consult at least 600 Network Rail representatives on a weekly basis and we know exactly what the mood of our members is,” Lynch said. He added that management members of the smaller TSSA union, who voted to accept a pay deal, “have been bribed to break this strike”. “Our members are not going to be bribed, the offer is trivial and they are not ready to accept it.” Network Rail said its latest pay offer is “good and fair” – and worth more than 5% – but “conditionally” union members accept “reform modernization”. The company said unions prevented other workers from accepting a deal. Andrew Haines, its chief executive, said: “I am saddened that we are once again having to ask passengers to stay off the rail because of unnecessary strike action when we should be helping them enjoy their summers. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “We have made a good and fair offer but, with the exception of TSSA management grades who have accepted the deal, our unions are refusing to let our employees have a say and unfortunately that means more disruption to the rail network.” The RMT described the offer as a real-terms pay cut, adding that the reforms would see a third of front-line maintenance roles lost. Lynch said he would be talking to senior officials in the rail industry next week in a bid to “create solutions”. “Then we will decide whether we need to take more industrial action,” he added. Bus services in west and south-west London and parts of Surrey will also be disrupted on Saturday as a result of strike action on Friday and Saturday by bus drivers from Unite, in a separate dispute over pay. The transport secretary was accused of advocating “fire and re-hire” tactics on Friday after warning that changes sought by rail companies could be forced on workers. Grant Shapps threatens to impose rail overhaul amid strikes – video Grant Shapps told Sky News he could introduce legislation referred to as “section 188” to enforce some of the proposed measures. “If we can’t settle it in the way we propose, that is [asking unions]’Please put the agreement in your subscription,’ then we’ll have to go into what’s called section 188. it’s the process of requiring those changes to be put in place to make an order,” he said. But union leaders, including TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes, said Sapps – who could lose his job when the next prime minister takes office – was “desperate” and “irrelevant”. Speaking on Saturday, Leeds said public support for striking transport workers was growing. “I think the British public are tired of being fed up with this government and corporate Britain, which has seen companies like BP and British Gas making huge profits while people struggle to make ends meet,” he said. Wembley Stadium has advised those traveling to the capital to watch Coldplay on Saturday afternoon to contact their train operator for the latest information.
