Rail union RMT has announced another four weeks of industrial action in December and January.
Strikes will take place across four 48-hour periods on 13-14 and 16-17 December, and 3-4 and 6-7 January. There will also be an overtime ban across the railways from 18 December until 2 January.
The union suspended previous strike action to allow for intensive negotiations to resolve the dispute over pay, working conditions and job security. However, the two sides have so far failed to reach an agreement.
More than 40,000 RMT members at Network Rail and 14 train companies are expected to join the walkouts.
“Our message to the public is we are sorry to inconvenience you, but we urge you to direct your anger and frustration at the government and railway employers during this latest phase of action,” said RMT general secretary Mick Lynch.
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, said: “We made real progress over the last fortnight of talks and for the first time in months we can see the outline of a credible deal.”
The spokesperson called on the RMT to “stay at the negotiating table” for the benefit of passengers travelling or shopping in the run up to Christmas, as well as hospitality and retail businesses that depend on trade at this time of year.
