Union leaders have rejected revised offers to end industrial action on the railways – and announced more strikes over Christmas.
RMT members at Network Rail will be asked in a referendum whether they should proceed with strikes on 13-14 and 16-17 December.
However, the union’s leader is urging them to reject, what he described as, a “poor” offer from the body.
Just 24-hours earlier, the RMT dismissed a similar offer from train operators to end their separate dispute.
Mick Lynch revealed plans for further strikes – from 6pm on Christmas Eve to 6am to 27 December.
Before those dates had even come to light the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing the operators, had warned of a month of major disruption because of strikes and overtime bans.
The rail dispute is just one of many threatening to deliver a winter of discontent as unions seek pay rises in line with the rate of inflation to help shield their members from the cost of living crisis.
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There is the looming threat of action by nurses, firefighters and National Highways staff.
It is building on a wave of strikes among other professions including teachers and bus drivers.
The dispute between Royal Mail and its 115,000 frontline workers has become increasingly bitter and shows no sign of letting up in time for Christmas following a wave of action over the Black Friday discount shopping bonanza and beyond.
The government is coming under increasing pressure from backbenchers to press ahead with reforms to strike laws that would guarantee a minimum level of service.
