Rail unions may wreck Commonwealth Games by staging strikes during tournament

RAIL unions could try to wreck the Commonwealth Games by staging their strikes in the middle of the tournament, government insiders fear.

Firebrands at the RMT have vowed to inflict a “summer of discontent” on Brits in a series of devastating walkouts.

Industry and Whitehall insiders reckon they could target the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month.

One source said: “There are big fears they will target big leisure and sporting events to inflict maximum damage.

"Things like the Commonwealth Games.

“With so many people working from home now, going on during a normal working day doesn't pack as big a punch as it used to.

“They may change their tactics.”

The RMT is plotting to hold a series of massively damaging strikes to cripple the railway network over the coming months.

Last night they stood back from the brink and vowed to keep talking rather than announce dates for industrial action.

But they have six months to decide when to walk out after their members backed strike action in a row over pay and conditions.

RMT boss Mick Lynch has warned the strikes could go on a “very, very long time”.

Speaking last night, he said the union decided to carry on talking - but could still press the trigger on devastating industrial action any day now.

He said: "RMT has today agreed to continue these discussions in order to create a framework for negotiations on all aspects of the dispute.”

But he added: "RMT will continue to make active preparations for a sustained campaign of industrial action while discussions continue.

A government source said of the statement: "it is a positive development and we hope the RMT will continue to engage."