Rail strikes: anger as UK government refuses to join last-ditch talks

theguardian.com:

The government is facing growing anger over its refusal to join last-ditch talks to avert the biggest rail strike for three decades, with millions of people facing a week of cancelled trains and union leaders warning industrial action could spread.

With 40,000 rail workers due to join three daylong walkouts this week, Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, insisted it was not the government’s job to negotiate with the unions over pay, conditions, job cuts and safety.

But Jake Berry, a Conservative MP and former rail minister, was among those who said ministers should get around the table with Network Rail – which is government-owned – train operators and the unions.

The strike is due to start on Tuesday, followed by further strike days on Thursday and Saturday, with RMT union members walking out. Because of knock-on disruption, a special timetable will be in operation from Monday, with some evening services curbed, until Sunday. About 20% of trains will run on mainlines and urban areas.

The RMT and Unite are also holding a separate 24-hour walkout on the London Underground on Tuesday, which will cause huge disruption to the tube.

There have been numerous warnings from union leaders in recent weeks about the prospect of further industrial action this year because pay deals are falling way short of soaring inflation at more than 10%. Care workers, civil servants, teachers and refuse collectors are among those that may ballot for strikes in the months ahead.

Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the RMT, also raised the prospect of a rolling programme of train strikes if there is no resolution to the dispute. He told Sky News: “If there is not a settlement, we will continue our campaign.”

He said: “I think there are going to be