Some strikes have been called off, but there are more on the way (Picture: Getty)

Rail workers across the UK were set to hold a fresh set of strikes this weekend, but they were called off at the last moment.

10 hours before the first strike on November 5, with further action planned intermittently through to November 9, RMT said it had secured ‘unconditional’ talks with Network Rail.

The union, which represents 80,000 workers, will now enter into a ‘period of intensive negotiations’ with the company and rail operators.

However, this isn’t the end of strike action as the London Underground strikes are still set to go ahead – plus there could be further strike action on the ballots for wider rail workers.

So, when can you expect the round of strike action to take place?

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is the next train strike?

The next confirmed strike action is the London tube and Overground strikes on Thursday, November 10.

However, despite the railway workers’ strikes on Saturday, November 5, Monday, November 7 and Wednesday, November 9, being cancelled, members have been balloted to decide on further walkouts on November 15.

RMT General secretary Mick Lynch said, ‘Our re-ballot remains live and if we have to take strike action during the next 6 months to secure a deal, we will.’

Importantly, because the strikes were called off in the eleventh hour, many train companies are still struggling to run a regular timetable this weekend and passengers have been advised against travelling.

You can find out more on National Rail’s website.

A strike had been planned by both the RMT union and TfL for November 3, but was cancelled due to clashing with London Poppy Day.

Why are the strikes happening?

Mick Lynch has been an important figure during the strike action (Picture: Guy Smallman / Getty Images)

The unions are in an ongoing dispute with the government and rail companies about pay, job cuts, and changes to terms and conditions – with a settlement between parties yet to be reached.

Unions say that their members’ salaries don’t reflect the rising cost of living.

RMT union general secretary Mick Lynch explained: ‘Some of our members on the train operating companies are some of the lowest paid on the railways.

More: Strikes

‘This stands in stark contrast to rail operating company bosses making millions of pounds in profit. We remain open to meaningful talks, but we are steadfast in our industrial campaign to see a negotiated settlement for all our members in this dispute.’

Mr Lynch also added recently: ‘Our focus in this dispute is the rail employers who have yet to make an offer that will create the conditions for a negotiated settlement.

Expect strikes in September to affect train journeys (Picture: Carl Court/Getty)

‘I call upon the new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to unshackle the rail industry so they can come to a settlement with RMT. We will vigorously pursue our industrial campaign until we achieve a deal.’

When announcing earlier train driver strikes in September 2022, ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan said: ‘We regret that, once again, passengers are going to be inconvenienced because we don’t want to go on strike – withdrawing our labour, although a fundamental human right, is always a last resort for a trade union – but the train companies have forced our hand.’

He said the pay deal on the table from operators amounted to a ‘real terms pay cut’ because of spiralling inflation.

Mr Whelan continued: ‘We want the companies – which are making big profits, and paying their chief executives enormous salaries and bonuses – to make a proper pay offer to help our members keep up with the increase in the cost of living.

‘That’s why we are calling on the companies today to do the right thing – the decent thing – and come back to the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept.’

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Strikes could continue for the next six months.