TRADE unionists across Britain must “take a stand and fight for workers,” RMT urged today as it announced another four weeks of national rail strikes in a long-running dispute over jobs and pay.

The transport union said more than 40,000 of its members across Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will down tools during a series of 48-hour strikes in coming weeks.

The walkouts, due to hit on December 13, 14, 16 and 17 and January 3, 4, 6 and 7, will take place alongside an overtime ban across the railways between December 18 and January 2, RMT confirmed.

Tory ministers have called for a resolution to the dispute, but the union said that, despite “every effort made by our negotiators, it is clear that that the government is directly interfering with our attempts to reach a settlement.”

The warning came after the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operating companies, refused “without any credible explanation to make promised written proposals” which could have ended the six-month dispute, the union said on Monday.

It also accused Network Rail, which oversees Britain’s railway infrastructure, of failing to table a new offer at the conclusion of negotiations last week.

The latest round of industrial action, due earlier this month, was suspended at the last minute after senior managers committed to “intensive talks and new proposals.”

Despite having shown “good faith in attending a fortnight of discussions with both halves of the industry, the union has no new proposals to consider or put to its members,” RMT stressed.

General secretary Mick Lynch said: “This latest round of strikes will show how important our members are to the running of this country and will send a clear message that we want a good deal on job security, pay and conditions.

“We have been reasonable, but it is impossible to find a negotiated settlement when the dead hand of government is presiding over these talks.

“The employers are in disarray and saying different things to different people sometimes at the same time. This whole process has become a farce.”

Mr Lynch apologised to the public in advance for the expected disruption but urged people to “direct your anger and frustration at the government and railway employers.

“We call upon all trades unionists in Britain to take a stand and fight for better pay and conditions in their respective industries,” he urged.