Tens of thousands of rail workers will stage two further strikes this month as their dispute over pay, jobs and conditions continues.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail and 14 train operators will strike on 15 and 17 September.

The union said that the rail network would “effectively shut down” as more than 40,000 of its members walk off the job.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members have no choice but to continue this strike action.

“Network Rail and the train operating companies have shown little interest this past few weeks in offering our members anything new in order for us to be able to come to a negotiated settlement.

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“Grant Shapps (Transport Secretary) continues his dereliction of duty by staying in his bunker and shackling the rail industry from making a deal with us.

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“We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes.”

It comes just days after Aslef and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association announced strikes by their members in the coming weeks.

In separate disputes, RMT members at Hull Trains and Arriva Rail London will also strike for one day on 15 September.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Yet again, union leaders are choosing self-defeating, co-ordinated strike action over constructive talks, not only disrupting the lives of millions who rely on these services but jeopardising the future of the railways and their own members’ livelihoods.

“These reforms deliver the modernisations our rail network urgently needs, are essential to the future of rail, and will happen, strikes will not change this.”

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