We need to 'work as a family' with unions to avoid rail strikes, says Transport Secretary

The new Transport Secretary has signalled a marked change in the Government’s strategy towards the rail unions by offering to “work as a family” to find a solution to the disputes which have crippled the network.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan said on Friday that she wanted “bring everyone together” to find a solution everyone can live with. Her comments came just hours before three rail unions are set to bring the network grinding to a halt.

Her words mark a significant shift from the policy of non-intervention adopted by Grant Shapps, the previous transport secretary, who was described as irresponsible and confrontational by the unions and the Labour Party.

Speaking to the London Evening Standard in her first interview as Transport Secretary, Ms Trevelyan said: “We need to work as a family to find balance.

“I’m a mum of a family. Negotiation, compromise, everyone not quite getting every vegetable on the plate that they want, or every pudding that they want, that’s how life works and in this it’s no different.

“Hopefully, my view of the world and the ability to bring everyone together is something that will get everyone to agree that we can find a landing zone that we can all live with.”

The Cabinet minister said there were cost limitations to what the train companies and Network Rail could offer workers and that reforms were required if a compromise agreement was to be reached.

But in a change of tone from that of Mr Shapps, she also stressed that she “respected” union bosses for seeking better pay for their members.

“What I want to do is to make sure that everyone is putting their best foot forward and genuinely trying to find a solution. That’s really important, putting offers when they’re realistic to their members is important,” she said.

“But I very much have said to everyone my door is open — this is a holistic family.

“We need a solution so that our train systems work well so that we can invest, so that I can have credibility and go to the Treasury and say ‘I want to do more, that there’s a credible position which says everyone in the rail industry is working together. Yes. It’s worth you investing, helping us do more’.”

Commuters are facing rail fare rises of 12.3 per cent next year, based on RPI inflation in July under the Government’s normal formula, but ministers have said they will not go up by as much.

Ms Trevelyan declined to be drawn on how much lower they would be, saying only: “We will continue to focus everything we do as the Prime Minister set out on easing cost-of-living challenges where we can.”

Her more conciliatory approach has been welcomed by the RMT. Mick Lynch, the union’s general secretary, described their recent encounter as a “good meeting with a positive attitude”.

Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, said he was “incredibly impressed” with Ms Trevelyan .

Rail passengers are being urged only to travel if necessary on Saturday because of the latest walk-out, which will see no trains between London and a number of cities including Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.