Ashes fans face travel chaos after new rail strike announced

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch has led workers through several rounds of strikes over wages and working conditions. Credit: Lucy North/PA Wire

The UK will face new travel chaos next month with two Ashes and The Open tests after rail workers went on strike for three more days in a wage dispute.

Members of the Union of Railways, Maritime Transport and Transport (RMT) will be holding promotions with 14 train operators across England, hitting fans hoping to attend the two Ashes Tests and The Open golf tournaments.

The union said that 20, 22 and 29 July strike 20,000 railway workers across the UK. The Ashes' fourth test is due to take place at Old Trafford on the weekend of 19-23 July. the fifth test will take place next weekend.

The Open Championship runs from July 20 to 23.

RMT has accused train operators of failing to offer new pay to end the long-running strike.

Neither the train operators nor the government invited RMT to any meetings, despite the union's willingness to resume negotiations.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “This latest step of action will show the country how important rail personnel are to the operation of the rail industry.

“My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 to negotiate with railway companies and government ministers.

“However, quite unbelievably, neither side has made any attempt to organize any meetings or put forward a worthy proposal that could help us reach an agreed solution.”

According to RMT, the Government “under contract sets parameters for negotiations” with these 14 train operators.

Mr Lynch said the government «continues to tie down companies» by preventing them from proposing a new pay deal to settle the dispute.

He said: «Our members have now voted three times declare strikes in the last 12 months, the last of which coincided with the receipt of full information about the low-quality proposal from the railway operators.

«They voted 9-1 to renew their strike mandate and RMT will continue its industrial campaign until we reach an agreed agreement on pay, working conditions and job security.»

This announcement comes after RMT members overwhelmingly voted to continue the strike for another six months.