Good Morning Britain fans were thrilled as host Ed Balls interviewed Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union boss Mick Lynch amid widespread rail strikes on Wednesday.
Railway workers voted overwhelmingly to strike in a bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions, crippling services across the network. Only around one in five trains will run on Wednesday, with some areas having no trains all day.
Passengers are being urged to only travel by train if they must, and if it is necessary, allow extra time and check when their last train will depart. Trains are also expected to be disrupted on Thursday morning with a later start to services as employees return to duties.
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RMT boss Mick Lynch appeared on GMB to chat to Ed, and co-host Charlotte Hawkins, to discuss why workers are striking. He also said transport secretary Grant Shapps "essentially owns Network Rail", and welcomed the minister to "call him" so they could get "round the table".
He added: "If we had a properly funded railway, we'd have a more secure future. Not just for the workers, but for the passengers, and we could have a proper fare structure that people could get value from. The railway would [then] run in the interests of the economy, the environment, and the users."
Ed Balls then turned the topic of conversation to industrial action potentially being made unlawful, as tabled by Prime Ministerial candidate Liz Truss. He said: "Would you then advise your members to break the law?"
Mr Lynch replied: "If they make it impossible to have lawful industrial action, then workers will have to see whether they take unlawful industrial action, that's a matter for them at the time, we'll have to see what the law says."
Viewers at home clearly enjoyed his response. Taking to Twitter, Jessica said: "Ed Balls being schooled by Mick Lynch, we love to see it. Nobody can back that man into a corner".
Pande said: "Mick Lynch, will educate Ed Balls,& explain why the RMT will succeed", while DM said: "Smashing stuff from Mick Lynch showing the indomitable spirit of trade unionism".
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV and the ITV Hub
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