New RMT rail strike dates announced for August and September hitting bank holiday weekend

Around 20,000 RMT members are set to walk out on August 26 and September 2 as part of their long-running dispute over pay and conditions, the union has announced.

The August strike could cause misery for commuters travelling to Leeds and Reading Festivals which are taking place on the same date, and comes just ahead of the Bank Holiday.

The RMT said members from 14 train operating companies are set to strike and it has been left with little choice but to take further action because it has seen no improved or revised offer from the Rail Delivery Group.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The mood among our members remains solid and determined in our national dispute over pay job security and working conditions.

“We have had to call further strike action as we have received no improved or revised offer from the Rail Delivery Group.

“The reason for this is the government has not allowed them a fresh mandate on which discussions could be held.

“Our members and our union will continue fighting until we can reach a negotiated and just settlement.”

The 14 train firms affected are:

Avanti West Coast, c2c, Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, LNER ,Northern Trains, South Eastern, South Western Railway, Transpennine Express, West Midlands Trains and GTR (including Gatwick Express)

This story is being updated.