rain drivers held a 24-hour strike on Saturday travel disruption for Britons across the country.
Members of the Insult union in seven different railway companies organized a strike that affected the services on the London above ground, LNER trains, SoutheastGreat Western, Greater Anglia, Hull Trains and all Heathrow Express trains.
This coincided with the second day of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the start of the English football league season, as the fight over pay continues between the unions and the government.
While not involved in the strike, Southern and Thameslink warned passengers may face travel disruptions as a result of increased use.
Despite the need for compromise, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed that union leaders Mick Lynch and Mick Whelan were taking Britain’s “taxpayer for a ride” by continuing to strike.
In response, Mr Whelan, Aslef general secretary, told Times Radio on Saturday morning: “I say Mr Shapps is lying very simply, very clearly.
“We don’t drag our feet in the negotiations, we negotiate with 14 private companies, we don’t work for the government or the DfT (Department for Transport).”
He added: “I would like Mr Shapps to get us out of this catch-22 situation which he misrepresents at every opportunity.”
In support, a host of Labor MPs, including now former shadow cabinet frontbencher, Sam Tarry, joined picket lines in support of rail workers across the country.
Commenting on the negotiations with the unions, the Transport Ministry said: “It is extremely misleading to suggest that the Transport Minister should interfere in these negotiations. His role is to protect the treasury and give the hard-working people of this country value for money.
“As such, he must set the limits of taxpayer support and ultimately sign every deal, not to be involved in the negotiation of an agreement, and his contracts with operators allow him to do just that.
“The union is well aware that negotiations on wages and work practices do not happen with the government, but with the employers of the people they represent.
“We once again urge union representatives to return to the negotiating table.”
Saturday’s strike precedes three days of travel chaos next month.
On August 18, members of the RMT union working for Network Rail and 14 other train operators including Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, GTR (including Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and the Gatwick Express), GWR, LNER , Northern, Southeastern and South Western Railway, will run.
While the network is not expected to be completely shut down, services will be extremely disrupted.
A strike is also scheduled for August 19, while another walk will take place on August 20 at National Rail and several other operators.