RAILWAY workers have stepped up their industrial action and will now be taking three days of strike action.

The 24-hour stoppage on Wednesday, July 27, comes after Network Rail made an offer of four per cent in the first year followed by a possible four per cent in the second year,

But union RMT said this was conditional on RMT members ‘accepting all attacks on their terms and conditions’.

Strike action has also been announced for August 18 and 20.

Barry West, regional organiser for the RMT, said: ‘The need to strike is a last resort and the aim of the RMT is to find a resolution and to avoid our members having to take any form of industrial action.

‘Many of members are often customer facing and want to deliver the best service they can as they did during Covid and throughout their careers so taking action is not the easy option for them.

‘Many are worried about how the cuts and closures will adversely affect the public and without doubt have safety implications for the public and the safe running of the railway.

‘Rail workers will once again take strike action over job security, pay and working conditions on Wednesday July 27.

‘There are many ways to modernise and to grow a business, working with us to find solutions and to explore opportunities would be a much more productive manner In which to find a way forward.

‘Our members find it very frustrating and disappointing that the companies have been disingenuous and that they seem belligerent in the way in which this dispute situation is being handled.

‘When there is clearly an open door where the RMT are available and open to discussions and to negotiate.

He added the RMT has yet to receive a pay offer or guarantees over job losses from the train operating companies.

Network Rail members will strike from 2am on Wednesday, July 27, for 24 hours. And members on the TOCs will take action from 00.01 until 23:59 on July 27.

‘The offer from Network Rail represents a real terms pay cut for our members and the offer is conditional on RMT members agreeing to drastic changes in their working lives taking us back in some cases to more unsocial and unreasonable working arrangements and for less pay for some,’ said Barry.

‘We have made progress on compulsory redundancies. But Network Rail are still seeking to make our members poorer when we have won in some cases double what they are offering, with other rail operators.

‘The train operating companies remain stubborn and are refusing to make any new offer which deals with job security and pay.

‘The Government need to engage in the debate and help by untying the hands of the Rail Industry Senior Negotiators instead of seeking to blame everyone else for their inaction.

‘It is again the public who will be inconvenienced by our strike action need to understand that it is the government’s shackling and impeding of Network Rail and the Train operating Companies ability to negotiate freely with us, that means the rail network will be shut down for 24 hours.

‘The RMT Union remain open for further talks,’ he said.

South Western Railway (SWR) has warned travellers that it expects the disruption to continue on Thursday, July 28.

A spokesperson said: ‘Customers are warned to expect severe disruption on both days and change plans if possible.’

SWR expects to run a significantly reduced strike timetable, which will see significant parts of the network closed.

‘Severe disruption is expected across the South Western Railway (SWR) network on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 July, following the announcement of a new RMT strike.’

SWR’s managing director Claire Mann said:’It is bitterly disappointing that the RMT has announced this latest strike date. We know how damaging and disruptive industrial action can be, and I’m sorry to all those who’s plans will be disrupted by this damaging strike.

‘We are working hard to finalise a contingency timetable, but we expect we’ll have no choice but to close significant parts of our network on Wednesday 27 July, with severe disruption expected on the following day.

‘That’s why we’re urging customers who are planning to use our services on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 July to begin making alternative arrangements.’

SWR will publish details of its reduced timetable when finalised and customers should check the website for latest updates: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/industrial-action.