CHRIS GRAYLING clung on as Transport Secretary in the Cabinet reshuffle today as workers staged further strikes across five privatised railways.

Rail union RMT said striking guards on Merseyrail, Northern, Southern, South Western Railway and Greater Anglia remained “solid and determined.”

The union is in dispute with all five companies over the roll-out of driver-only trains.

Bosses insist the practice is copper-bottomed, but RMT says it will threaten safety, disabled access and jobs.

Mr Grayling was initially announced as the Tories’ new party chairman on the party’s official Twitter page today, which would have seen him vacate his current post as Transport Secretary.

Rail unions have repeatedly accused Mr Grayling of instigating the expansion of driver-only operation, and scuppering talks between rail operators and union negotiators.

But hopes for a clean break were dashed when the party withdrew the announcement. At the time of going to press last night, it seemed likely he would stay in post.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Today we have written to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling calling for summit talks under an independent chair to break the deadlock in these long-running disputes.

“We expect a positive response to this important initiative and we welcome the support of both the Labour Party and the TUC for our proposal. It offers a real chance of progress.”

Mr Cash said agreements reached in Scotland and Wales protecting the operational role of train guards proved a deal could be reached with the five operators in dispute.

“If that rail safety guarantee is right for Wales and Scotland, then it must be right for the rest of the UK,” he said.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “This is a dispute between a private company and the RMT. However, the Transport Secretary recognises the disruption caused to passengers and has met with union leaders on several occasions, including as recently as December, to help bring an end to the strikes.

“He offered guarantees of employment to members who currently fulfil the role of the second person on the train beyond the length of the franchises — instead the RMT called strikes on five train companies to cause maximum disruption to passengers.

“Nobody is losing their job as a result of driver-controlled operation trains. Employees have been guaranteed jobs and salaries for several years.”

Guards on Northern, Merseyrail, Greater Anglia and South Western Railway will strike again tomorrow and on Friday.