The leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union has warned that strikes set to cripple Britain’s railways could last for a “very, very long time”.
Members of the RMT at Network Rail and 13 train operators overwhelmingly backed industrial action in a ballot last week.
The dates of the strikes — billed as the biggest in modern history — are expected to be announced this week and could begin as soon as mid-June.
Rail bosses are drawing up plans to keep supermarket shelves stocked by giving freight trains priority over passenger services. Fears have been raised that staff walkouts could lead to much of the rail network being closed.
Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, stoked fears of long-lasting disruption yesterday as he warned
