According to the RMT, the Government “contractually sets the negotiating parameters” of the 14 train operators, and is blocking them from making new concessions. 

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the train operators affected, described the latest strikes “totally unnecessary”. 

Responding to RMT’s announcement, a Rail Delivery Group spokesman said: “We have now made three offers that the RMT executive have blocked without a convincing explanation.

“We remain open to talks and we have said repeatedly that we want to give our people a pay rise, but until the union leadership and executive is united in what it wants and engages in good faith with the 30pc shortfall in revenue the industry is continuing to grapple with post covid, it is difficult to move forward.

“Sadly our staff, our customers and the communities across the country which rely on a thriving railway are the ones that are suffering as a result.”

RMT’s members in May renewed the union’s industrial mandate to continue strike action for another six months.

Why are Aslef drivers refusing to work overtime?

The train drivers’ union has been embroiled in a year-long pay dispute, having already staged several strikes since last summer.

The RDG had offered a 4pc increase in 2022 followed by another 4pc rise in 2023.

Aslef’s Mr Whelan said the proposal “was clearly not designed to be accepted” as inflation is much higher, meaning the offer represents a pay cut in real terms.