ransport Secretary Mark Harper has urged rail unions to give “at least a neutral recommendation” when putting offers aimed at resolving industrial disputes to their members.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will press ahead with strikes from next week after it recommended its members should reject the latest offer from Network Rail.
The Government will do what we can
Mr Harper told the Commons Transport Select Committee: “I would still urge the unions to keep talking, put those deals to their members with at least a neutral recommendation, and call off the strikes before Christmas which are going to be so damaging to individuals and businesses across a whole range of sectors.
“The Government will do what we can to try and encourage both employers and unions to keep talking.”
Read MoreChristmas rail strike announced amid ongoing talksNetwork Rail workers to stage extra strike over ChristmasRMT rejects offer aimed at halting festive rail strikesSamsung Galaxy Tab S8: a tablet that just thinks biggerMr Harper told the committee that more than 60% of the Department for Transport’s spending on capital and revenue is on rail, despite train travel only making up 10% of journey miles.
He added: “I just think we have to get that into a better sense of balance. That’s what we’re trying to do with the unions.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said on Tuesday night “we’re hoping to go over to the Rail Delivery Group in the morning” for a further meeting aimed at resolving disputes with operators.
