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A deal between train companies and rail unions is “achievable”, Mick Lynch, the head of the RMT union, has said as the biggest day of transport strikes causes travel misery for commuters.
A meeting, convened by Huw Merriman, the rail minister, was held on Thursday to try and resolve the bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions but failed to break the deadlock.
But Mr Lynch suggested a way forwards can be found to avert further rail strikes.
“I’m always optimistic,” he told Sky News.
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“Resolutions to disputes are about compromises. We understand what the companies want and they understand what what we need.
“So we need some compromise on some of the conditions they’re putting on the offer and we’ll need an improvement in the pay offer.
“That is achievable, in my view.”
Members of the RMT union have begun another 48-hour strike today, after the lack of progress after Thursday’s meeting.
The union said “further discussions” had been agreed but “in the meantime, all industrial action remains in place”.
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RMT union is involved in two disputes – one with Network Rail, at which it represents around 20,000 signallers and maintenance workers, and the other with the Rail Delivery Group, at which it represents about 20,000 workers at 14 train companies.
Members of both groups will strike today and tomorrow, and then on 3, 4, 6 and 7 January, with RMT members at Network Rail also striking from 6.30pm on Christmas Eve until 6am on 27 December.
Mr Lynch said: “I know that there are some very simple steps that the…
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