Mick Lynch says talks with transport secretary were ‘good start’ at ending rail strike dispute 👉 Britain has seen the most significant period industrial action of the century this summer
said his first talks with the new transport secretary were a “good start” to discussions aimed at resolving disputes behind debilitating strikes over recent months.met with Mr Lynch of the RMT and Aslef’s Mick Whelan last week
“That’s a good start but we have got to see some concrete change…allowing the companies to negotiate freely on a free collective bargaining basis.”on 1 and 8 October as part of a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions., during the period of mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Department for Transport said: “We urge union bosses to reconsider this divisive action and instead work with their employers, not against them, to agree a new way forward.”
Mr Lynch stressed that a breakthrough is unlikely unless the Government gives train operators more flexibility in negotiations. The Government claims the deparment has a role in setting the limits of taxpayer support for the rail companies, and ultimately signing off on any deal, but not in negotiating one.