OVER 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train-operating companies will walk out next Wednesday, after last-ditch talks failed today.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch confirmed the action will take place next week, saying that union members were “more determined than ever to secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions.”

He slammed Network Rail for failing to improve its previous offer, while the train companies had “not offered anything new.”

Mr Lynch said: “In fact Network Rail has upped the ante, threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50 per cent cuts to maintenance work, if we did not withdraw our planned strike action.

“RMT will continue to negotiate in good faith but we will not be bullied or cajoled by anyone.

“The government need to stop their interference in this dispute so the rail employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us.”

The news follows the union’s strike action in June, which saw over 40,000 workers walking out. 

The rail organisations facing strikes are:

Network Rail
Chiltern Railways
Cross Country Trains
Greater Anglia
LNER
East Midlands Railway
c2c
Great Western Railway
Northern Trains
South Eastern
South Western Railway
Transpennine Express
Avanti West Coast
West Midlands Trains
GTR (including Gatwick Express)