Date announced for September rail strike

Staff at nine train operating companies will hold a 24-hour strike next month from midday on 26 September, union TSSA said.

The walkout is due to an ongoing dispute over pay, job security and conditions, and will also include staff from Network Rail.

The union said it remained in talks with Network Rail about the possibility of a settlement but accused transport secretary Grant Schapps of blocking train companies from returning to the negotiating table with a revised pay deal.

The strike action will coincide with the Labour Party Conference, being held in Liverpool.

TSSA union leader Manuel Cortes said: "I welcome the fact that negotiations are ongoing with Network Rail and the gap towards a resolution is narrowing. Time will tell whether a deal can be done to avert our next strike."

This summer has been hit by a wave of transport strikes, forcing many hospitality businesses to reduce trading hours or close completely to ensure staff could safely get home. Venues have faced mass cancellations with customers unable to travel for their bookings.

The train companies likely to be involved in the strike include TransPennine Express, West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, c2c, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, LNER and Southeastern.