People wait for buses at Liverpool Street Station during a strike by RMT members
(Picture: PA)A union leader has claimed that rail strikes planned for next month could last a “very, very long time”.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 13 train operators overwhelmingly backed a walkout in a ballot over jobs and pay, despite fears that a strike could affect the UK’s petrol and diesel supplies and the delivery of goods to shops.
The union only has to give two weeks’ notice of strikes, which could start in mid-June.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “They could go on for a very, very long time.
“There is no sign at the moment that anybody is backing down on their side of the table.”
Mr Lynch said he couldn’t predict how much disruption a strike could cause, but added: “We will decide that if it happens. We want to make the strike action as effective as possible from our point of view.
“Our members are prepared to take effective strike action in pursuit of the settlement of this dispute. I have got no idea how long that will take and I can’t determine from here what the outcomes and side-effects of that will be.”
He added: “I cannot see a way out from the strikes at the moment unless there is a breakthrough and the Government instructs these companies – which they are doing to change their line rather than harden their line – it is very, very likely there will be strike action and it will be very soon.”
His comments came days after a Tube strike roundly condemned because it was due to take place during the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations was called off.
The RMT union announced it was suspending plans for about 80 station staff to walk out next Friday at Green Park and Euston stations.
The Department for Transport said strikes should always be the last resort and not the first.
A spokesman said: “The movement of vital goods is absolute priority during any disruption caused by union industrial action.
“We are working closely with Network Rail and the rail freight sector on contingency planning to mitigate any disruption industrial action may cause to passenger and freight services.
“This includes working with freight operating companies and their customers to plan ahead and reduce the impact on national supply chains.”
