‘We will keep going until we get a negotiated settlement’, vows union boss Mick Lynch amid rail strikes

A union boss has warned rail strikes will continue until a settlement is reached as the latest walkout by workers caused widespread disruption for train passengers.

Speaking to Sky News, RMT chief Mick Lynch said his members were “completely committed to the cause” and would “keep going” in their long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

He also predicted industrial unrest would spread with “generalised and synchronised action” in the face of the deepening cost of living crisis after inflation soared to a new 40-year high of 10.1%.

Four days of disruption across UK – live travel updates

It came as fresh strike action by a number of unions hit the rail network, with only around a fifth of services running, and half of lines closed, with a further walkout planned for Saturday.

London Underground and buses in the capital will also be hit by industrial action on Friday.

The knock-on effect of the rail stoppages will impact services into Sunday.

Mr Lynch said: “Nobody can afford to go on strike. They don’t want to be on strike, they want a settlement.

“They are completely tied into this dispute.

“I addressed a meeting of thousands of our members last night online and they are totally committed to the campaign that we have got.

“They understood the issues when they voted for it and they are showing on the picket lines that they are completely committed to the cause.

“We will keep going until we get a negotiated settlement and our members will decide whether it’s acceptable or not.”

Mr Lynch added: “There’s a wave of reaction amongst working people to the way they are being treated. People are getting poorer every day of the week. People can’t pay their bills.

“They are getting treated despicably in the workplace. I think there will, be generalised and synchronised action – it may not be in the traditional form.

“I think there is a massive response coming from working people because they are fed up with the way they are being treated.”