UK Rail Minister to meet unions in bid to end train strikes

Talks take place as union leaders insist the government is blocking a deal to end the long-running row

Mick Lynch, secretary general of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, on a picket line at Euston Station in London on January 6. EPA

Union leaders will meet Rail Minister Huw Merriman on Monday for talks aimed at resolving the striking train workers' dispute after a week of disruption to services.

Services were crippled, with one in five trains running between Tuesday and Saturday as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union and Aslef took industrial action.

Union leaders continue to insist the government is blocking a deal to end the long-running row over pay, jobs and conditions.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper denies the allegation, saying he is organising talks between unions and employers.

“Today I want to see the government stop play-acting because the truth, written in black and white in their rail contracts, is that they’ve been in complete control of this dispute from day one," said RMT general secretary Mick Lynch.

“The train operators cannot move without government say-so.

“Passengers, workers and businesses are suffering and even rail company managers are beginning to break ranks in despair at the government’s approach.

“The minister cannot hide behind this fairy story that he is just a facilitator.

“His government can end this dispute today by taking out the conditions they put in to torpedo a resolution and let the companies make a deal.”

January rail strikes begin in the UK - in pictures

A closed Birmingham Moor Street station during a strike by train drivers from the Aslef union, in a dispute over jobs and pensions. PA

Southeastern trains sit in sidings at Ashford station in Kent, during a strike by train drivers. PA

An Aslef picket line at Birmingham Moor Street station. PA

Passengers outside the locked gates of Southfields London Underground station, waiting for the first train of the day. PA

Empty platforms in Euston station, London. PA

A deserted Paddington station in London, during a strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union over jobs and pensions. PA

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, joins union members on the picket line outside London's Euston station. Strikes have been taking place since last summer. PA

Passengers in an almost deserted Euston station during morning rush hour in London. PA

A sign warning of industrial action at Barnham train station in West Sussex, southern England PA

Passengers check the departure boards at Euston station. Getty Images

An empty platform at Eustion station in London. Bloomberg

A lone train leaves Ashford station in Kent, where a reduced timetable is in operation. PA

Signs with information on the strikes are lined up at Waterloo station in London. PA

Members of the RMT on a picket line outside London Euston station. Bloomberg

Meanwhile, Aslef leaders will consider an offer, made on Friday by the Rail Delivery Group on behalf of train operators, of a 4 per cent pay rise for last year and 4 per cent this year.

Conditions were attached to the offer, such as quickening the training of drivers, and in regard to Sunday working arrangements.

Rail union and industry officials will give evidence to Parliament's transport select committee on Wednesday.

Winter strikes in Britain - in pictures

Protesters march through Trafalgar Square, towards Downing Street, London, during a nurses' strike. PA

A rally in support of striking Amazon workers outside the retailer's warehouse in Coventry. Reuters

Members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy on the picket line outside London's St Thomas' Hospital as they strike for the first time. PA

Teachers gather at The Mound in central Edinburgh to highlight the need for a fair pay deal for Scotland's teachers as they continue to take strike action. PA

Paramedic Gabriel McComish, on the picket line outside the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, as thousands of health and social care workers in Northern Ireland take part in strike action. PA

Ambulance workers on the picket line outside London Ambulance Service NHS Trust control room in Waterloo, London. PA

Ambulance workers gather at a picket line in Waterloo, London. AFP

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland teaching union join a rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. PA

Striking ambulance workers outside the NHS London Ambulance Service HQ in London. Reuters

Passengers at a busy King's Cross station in London after a strike by RMT union members. PA

Driving examiners on a PCS picket line outside Goodmayes Driving Test Centre in London. EPA

Nurses and supporters march towards Downing Street after a day of strike action in London. Getty Images

Travellers waiting for Euston station to open in London. Getty Images

A warning sign at Heathrow Airport in London. Bloomberg

A packed concourse at London Euston station on Christmas Eve. Getty Images

Striking Border Force workers picket at Gatwick Airport. EPA

Armed forces personnel drive an ambulance as paramedics, ambulance technicians and call handlers strike in England and Wales. PA

A notice about strike action outside Mount Pleasant Mail Centre in Farringdon, as Royal Mail workers stage strikes. PA

Ambulance workers and supporters gather outside Brent Ambulance Station in London. Getty Images

Members of the Fire and Rescue Service join demonstrators on a picket line at Manchester Ambulance Station. Getty Images

Ambulances outside the West Midlands Ambulance Service headquarters in Coventry during a strike. PA

“The Transport Secretary and rail minister have held polite, constructive meetings with a range of union leaders since taking office," said a Department for Transport spokesman.

“They have had open and honest conversations about the serious challenges facing the railways.

“Passengers have rightly had enough of rail strikes and want the disruption to end.

“Unions should step back from strike action so we can start 2023 by ending this damaging dispute.

“Inflation-matching pay increases for all public sector workers would cost everyone more in the long term – worsening debt, fuelling inflation and costing every household an extra £1,000 ($1,208)."