The transport minister said the RMT’s decision to go ahead with a train strike next week would “punish millions”.
Grant Shapps warned the UK was “currently on the cusp of a major disruption that will cause misery across the country”.
He also claimed the RMT union had been repeatedly urged not to take “damaging” industrial action – and instead focus on negotiations.
Mr Shapps said teenagers preparing for their exams will face the added stress of changing their travel plans, while patients may have to cancel hospital appointments.
“Many people who don’t get paid if they can’t go to work face losing money at a time when they simply can’t afford it,” he added.
The talks have failed to resolve a bitter dispute over pay, employment and conditions – and next week’s rail strikes are set to be the biggest in decades.
Hit ‘bribe’
They will take place on Tuesday 21st, Thursday 23rd and Saturday 25th June.
Several major trade unions behind the move have also been accused by Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng of “bribing” workers to strike.
The Sunday Telegraph claims some tax-free payments are being provided by some, funded from a “strike fund”.
The paper said Unite, which had threatened strikes in councils and across bus networks, had hung posters in local government buildings advertising “strike wages of £70 a day” for Staff.
Explainer: Here are all the insights you need to know to weather the disruption
However, RMT Secretary General Mick Lynch said thousands of jobs were being cut across rail networks and workers were facing wage increases below inflation.
Network Rail has warned the strikes will cause a six-day disruption as it directly affects services on mid-hours.
Two out of five are ‘against strikes’
Meanwhile, nearly half of respondents in a new survey of disputes think now is not the right time to strike.
A poll commissioned by industry body Rail Delivery Group found that while a quarter supported the strike, two-thirds opposed it.
Government ‘poured gasoline on fire’
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer has criticized the government’s handling of the dispute – arguing that the Conservatives have “poured fuel on the fire”.
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Grant Shapps tells Commons rail strikes are ‘totally pointless’
In a speech in Warwick on Sunday, he will accuse Boris Johnson and Mr Shapps of actually wanting the strikes to continue, saying: “They want the country to shut down so they can get out of the divide. .”
“Instead of spending their time this week around the negotiating table, they are designing offensive ads.”
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said the government had committed £16 billion to keep rail lines running throughout the pandemic.
Plan to close all station ticket offices?
They added: “Railways are still on life support, with passenger numbers down 25% and anything that causes them to leave even risks killing services and jobs.
“Training for millions is now an option, not a necessity. Strikes prevent our customers from choosing rail and they likely never will. return.”
Other news is sure to upset unions, with the Sunday Times claiming that the rail network is on the verge of closing all ticket offices at English stations.
According to the paper, plans have been drawn up to phase out paper tickets, aiming to save up to £500 million a year.
