The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) staged two days of train strikes last week in the long-running dispute with rail operators over pay, jobs and working conditions.
Workers walked out on Thursday and Saturday, with only around 40 to 50 per cent of train services running.
The strikes have not been quite as disruptive as previous RMT walkouts, as Network Rail staff suspended their action after progress in talks and a new pay offer.
Two more strike days are planned, with similar levels of disruption expected. Here is everything you need to know.
When are the next rail strikes?
Rail workers will walk out on:
- Thursday 30 March
- Saturday 1 April
The following rail operators will be affected by the action:
- Avanti West Coast
- Chiltern
- CrossCountry
- c2c
- East Midlands
- Gatwick Express
- Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express)
- Great Northern
- Great Western
- LNER
- Northern
- Southeastern
- Southern
- South Western
- Thameslink
- TransPennine Express
- West Midlands
You can find the latest advice on strike disruption from National Rail here, and use National Rail’s journey planner here.
Why are the rail strikes happening?
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the rail operators, has said the RMT was offered a 9 per cent pay deal, with 13 per cent to the lowest paid workers, to end the row with train operators, and accused the union of blocking a resolution.
Speaking outside Euston station in central London, RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, told Sky News: “We haven’t accepted it because it’s a really poor offer. It’s rubbish, really, it’s way below the rate of inflation.
“We haven’t had a pay increase for three years and members during that period have been subjected to an inflation rate on the retail price index of over 22 per cent.
“We’ve been offered 9 per cent over two years, but they have to fund that themselves through cuts to their terms and conditions, changes to their working practices.”
Steve Montgomery, chair of the RDG, said: “This latest round of strikes will be a further inconvenience to our customers, who have already experienced months of disruption, and cost our people even more money at a time they can least afford it.
“They will also be asking why the RMT leadership blocked the chance to resolve this dispute by refusing to give their members – many of whom would have benefited from a 13 per cent increase – a say on their own deal.
“Unfortunately, while we will pull out all the stops to keep as many trains running as possible, there will be reduced services across many parts of the rail network on all four strike days, so our advice is to check before you travel.”
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “RMT members at train operating companies are being denied a say on their own future, while being forced to lose more pay through avoidable strike action.
“We urge the RMT’s executive to put the Rail Delivery Group’s very fair offer to a democratic vote of their members, like it has on two separate occasions for RMT members working for Network Rail.”
