Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said the RMT’s accusation that he “wrecked” strike negotiations is “a total lie” as the union confirmed the second of three national rail strikes will go ahead on Thursday.
Earlier on Wednesday, the union had claimed that Mr Shapps was refusing to allow Network Rail “to withdraw their letter threatening redundancy for 2,900 of our members”.
In response, Mr Shapps said: “This is a total lie from the RMT and its general secretary. I have had absolutely nothing to do with either the issuing of a letter from Network Rail, the employer, to the RMT - or any request to withdraw it.
“I understand that the letter makes no mention of 2,900 redundancies, but I do know it confirmed Network Rail would be introducing desperately needed reforms for the industry after the union chose strike action instead of further talks.
“The RMT continues to deflect from the fact that the only people responsible for the massive public disruption this week is them.”
Train passengers were suffering more disruption from Tuesday’s strike action in a bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.
