Rail passengers are being warned not to travel by train today and tomorrow as another wave of strikes takes place.

As new strike dates are announced RMT's North West regional organiser, Daren Ireland, said union members were left with no choice after the initial negotiations were 'thwarted by ministers'.

He said: “We are trying to negotiate with Network Rail and the operating companies that are controlled by the Department for Transport.

“But negotiations have been impeded by senior ministers at Number 10.

“We are in a tough situation, we don’t want to be striking but the government seems to be hell bent on having a bust up.

“They appear to be hell bent in keeping pay for working classes at the bottom and expect people to struggle to make ends meet.”

Rail supporters take to picket lines during strikes

The Bolton News: Rail strike supporters in full force call for improvement to pay and working conditionsRail strike supporters in full force call for improvement to pay and working conditions

The RMT says government has disrupted talks by adding the extension of 'Driver Only Operation', where drivers would operate train doors in more places.

The dispute centres around pay, conditions of employment contracts and job security.

Mr Ireland said: “They have made it clear that there will be no change in the terms, so they need to rethink their strategy on this.

“The government keeps pushing for the red line clause, knowing full well we do not want this, we are being forced into striking.”

RMT are now calling for a meeting with PM Rishi Sunak to resolve the chaos over the busy festive period.

Many families fear they will not be able to be with loved ones in time for Christmas.

READ MORE:

Full list of railway strikes to hit Bolton

DWP leaves former carer on £8 a week for 6 months

Bolton West MP Chris Green on Westhoughton Golf Club flooding

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has written to Rishi Sunak saying a meeting between the two men was now the best prospect of making any progress.

Mr Lynch said that from press reports, Transport Secretary Mark Harper’s appearance at the Transport Committee this week and from what he has been directly told by the Rail Delivery Group’s negotiators, it was clear that No 10 is “directing the mandate for the rail companies and has torpedoed the talks”.

He wrote: “There is no reason why this dispute could not be settled in the same way that RMT has resolved disputes in Scotland and Wales.

“It is already a national scandal that your government has been paying the train operating companies not to settle the dispute, indemnifying them to the tune of £300 million so that they have no incentive to reach a resolution.

“It’s not clear to me why, on top of this, your government has now torpedoed the negotiations, but I now believe that a meeting with yourself represents the best prospect of any renewed progress."

A Government spokesperson said: “It’s incredibly disappointing that, despite a new and improved deal offering job security and a fair pay rise, the RMT continues to hold Christmas hostage with more damaging strikes.

“The Government has played its part by facilitating a fair and decent offer and the RMT and its members should vote this deal through and end this harmful disruption.”

Key strike dates include: Tuesday 13 December 2022 (RMT Union)

Wednesday 14 December 2022 (RMT Union)

Friday 16 December 2022 (RMT Union)

Saturday 17 December 2022 (RMT Union)

Saturday 24 December from 6pm (RMT Union affecting Network Rail)

Sunday 25 December (RMT Union affecting Network Rail)

Monday 26 December (RMT Union affecting Network Rail)