Rail strikes 'could last for months' if other side doesn't back down, Mick Lynch warns

24 July 2022, 12:08

Mick Lynch warned of more disruption in the coming months
Mick Lynch warned of more disruption in the coming months. Picture: Getty

By Will Taylor

RMT boss Mick Lynch has predicted months of strikes and disruption for commuters in the ongoing dispute over rail workers' pay.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

He warned of a "rolling campaign of trade union activity" after his own organisation confirmed another day of mass rail strikes.

Britain is facing another day of commuter agony on July 27 as workers at Network Rail and 14 train companies walk out over the pay dispute.

It followed three days of action that shut down all but a fifth of train services and crippled Britain's rail network.

The RMT has accused the Government of preventing Network Rail and the train firms from agreeing a deal with the union, while the Government says it is up to the union to sort an arrangement with those organisations.

Asked by LBC's Ben Kentish if strikes and disruption could last for months if the Government did not back down, Mr Lynch said: "That is likely to happen because we're not able to bridge the gap.

Months of rail strikes are 'likely to happen'

"But the Government may subtly change their position, they've done a lot of U-turns in the last period. So it's up to them, they can subtly change it, or they can come to the table and make an announcement.

"I'm not bothered - I want to work with the industry leaders to get a settlement to this dispute. We'll do that in a common sense way that everyone can support but we're not just going to surrender and meekly give in to something that is impossible for us to accept."

Read more: Travel chaos for train passengers as RMT confirms next week's rail strikes will go ahead

He admitted there is a risk of losing some of the support he has in the polls if strikes rumble on and disrupt more days of travel, and he said he also wants to be responsible with the effect striking has on his members, who are not paid when they walk out.

Some commentators have characterised this part of the year as a "summer of discontent", as workers in other industries and jobs, such as barristers, also take action or threaten to do so - leading to fears of the possibility of an attempt at a general strike.

More rail strikes are yet to come, Mick Lynch believes
More rail strikes are yet to come, Mick Lynch believes. Picture: Getty

Mick Lynch previously spoke about the possibility of coordinating action and he told LBC that anger over pay from workers in areas like the public sector could boil over into a "rolling campaign of trade union activity".

The RMT wants salaries that better reflect soaring inflation, while Network Rail has accused the union of "political campaigning" and refusing to compromise and thrash out a deal.

Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: "Despite our best efforts to find a breakthrough, I'm afraid there will be more disruption for passengers next week as the RMT seems hell-bent on continuing their political campaigning, rather than compromising and agreeing a deal for their members.

Read more: Postal strike 2022: When is it and why are Royal Mail workers striking?

"I can only apologise for the impact this pointless strike will have on passengers, especially those travelling for holidays or attending events such as the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 semi-final (Wednesday 27th) and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (Thursday 28th).

"It is frustrating to yet again ask our passengers to change their plans and only make essential journeys."

Network Rail said only about half of the rail network will be open on July 27, and a very limited service will run on some lines between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

All commuters have been asked to plan ahead, highlighting long that trips like London to Scotland will have their final services leave in the early afternoon.

The knock-on effect will see disruption on Thursday morning too.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Olsi Beheluli, 33, was sentenced to 11 years in jail after he was caught with eight kilograms of high-purity heroin in 2015

Albanian heroin dealer who posed with £250K won’t be deported despite drug conviction and fake ID finds

Firefighters evacuate a resident from the burning apartment building following Russia's massive air attack in Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, June 20, 2025.

One dead and 14 injured as Russia launches wave of strikes on Odesa

One of the new trains being built at Siemens' Rail Village in Goole, a manufacturing facility in East Yorkshire

State-of-the-art new £3bn fleet of air-conditioned Piccadilly line trains delayed by a year

Nurse preparing blood sample from a young girl

Warning of cervical cancer risk in young women due to low vaccine uptake - as rates 65% higher in deprived areas

HMS Spey is one of two British warships permanently on patrol in the Indo-Pacific.

China says UK warship passage threatens 'peace and stability' in Taiwan Strait

R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court.

Chris Brown pleads not guilty to attempting to cause GBH over alleged bottle attack at London nightclub

Fergus Ewing will run against his former party in next year's Holyrood elections.

Veteran SNP MSP to stand against party at Holyrood elections

LBC has gone swimming with sharks to celebrate the anniversary of Jaws.

'We're going to need a bigger...shark': LBC meets Jaws 50 years after the film that 'changed movies forever'

Jennifer Abbot, 69, was discovered stabbed to death in her Camden home

Woman, 69, charged with murder of film director 'killed for her diamond-encrusted Rolex'

Qari Abdul Rauf (L) and Adil Khan (R) remain in the UK

Rochdale grooming gang leaders may finally be deported to Pakistan 'if the UK restores direct flights'

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed he has not yet spoken to winger Mykhailo Mudryk since the Ukrainian was charged with violating anti-doping rules

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca yet to speak to Mykhailo Mudryk after doping charges

.

Two e-scooter riding pro-Palestine activists breach RAF Brize Norton and sabotage two military jets

Exclusive
Sophie Blake

Mum with incurable stage-four cancer urges government to pass Assisted Dying Bill

A woman shopping in a supermarket

UK retail sales slump in May after ‘dismal’ month for supermarkets

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov

Regime change in Iran is 'unacceptable', Kremlin warns, as Israel says Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'cannot continue to exist'

Coldplay are to reissue nine of their previous albums on clear records made from recycled plastic bottles.

'Fix You - and the planet': Coldplay to reissue nine albums on clear records made from recycled plastic bottles