New rail strikes announced after pay offer is rejected

New dates have been set for national rail strikes after the latest pay deal was rejected by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.

Last week's strike was called off after a new pay deal was offered by Network Rail, but that has now been rejected by RMT members.

The strikes are now scheduled to run for 24 hours from 5pm on 4 June and a 48 hours from 5pm on 9 June.

Theatre ticket holders on the dates affected are advised to read our previous piece on how rail strike action might impact shows.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our rail staff deserve a fair reward for the high-pressure, safety-critical work that they undertake day and night and the last thing that we need is a demoralised, burnt-out workforce living in fear for their livelihoods and their futures and the message has come back loud and clear that that is exactly how they feel about the current offer from Network Rail."