Sunday 29 May 2022 11:58 AM Rail strikes WILL happen 'very soon' and could cause power blackouts, unions ... trends now
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Rail strikes will happen 'very soon' and could last long enough to cause blackouts unless the government bows to demands for huge pay rises.
The head of the RMT union stepped up threats of a wave of disruption warning he 'cannot see a way out' of the standoff with ministers.
Mick Lynch refused to rule out the so-called 'summer of discontent' hitting power supplies, and said they could 'go on for a very, very long time' unless there are wage increases to match soaring inflation.
Union members at Network Rail and 13 train operators overwhelmingly backed industrial action in a ballot over jobs and pay last week.
They will have to give a fortnight's notice of strikes, meaning they could start in mid-June.
Ministers have been warned that freight trains supplying critical power plants could be severely disrupted. There are also fears over about fuel supply lines to garage forecourts.
RMT union chief Mick Lynch stepped up threats of a wave of strikes in an interview with Sy News,