When are the train strikes and why are they taking place?

Rail passengers are being advised not to travel, as unions hold further strikes as part of a long-running dispute.

Industrial action is being taken in a dispute over pay, job security and working conditions.

When are the next train strikes taking place?

The RMT rail workers' union has announced strikes on:

Previous strikes by the RMT have had a major impact on services throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Passengers should check their train-operating company's website and only travel if absolutely necessary.

Network Rail - which owns and maintains rails, signals and stations - says half of rail lines will be shut. Most of Scotland and Wales will have no trains running. Significant disruption is also likely on non-strike days.

In addition, the train drivers' union, Aslef, has called a strike on 5 January.

Its action will affect operations across 15 rail companies:

Workers on London's Elizabeth Line are also due to strike on January 12.

Why have railway workers been on strike?

The unions are in dispute with the government and rail companies about pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions.

Unions say any pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living.

But the rail industry is under pressure to save money, after the pandemic left a hole in its finances. Bosses say reforms need to be agreed, to afford pay increases and modernise the railway.

Network Rail is planning to cut 1,900 jobs as part of changes to the way its maintenance teams work - although it insists most of this could be achieved by people leaving voluntarily.

The RMT disagrees with some of the changes and wants a guarantee of no compulsory job losses.

What deal have rail workers been offered?

Network Rail made an offer of a 5% pay rise this year and a 4% pay rise in 2023.

But RMT union boss Mick Lynch described the deal as "substandard" and its members have rejected it.

The union also rejected an offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) - which represents train companies. That included a pay increase of up to 8% over two years and a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies until April 2024.

In exchange, it wanted repurposing or closure of ticket offices and Sunday working.

The RDG offer is separate to negotiations with Network Rail, which employs about half the workers in the dispute.

How much are rail workers paid?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has estimated the average salary of rail workers in 2022 was £45,919, based on five different job categories.

If drivers are excluded, its estimate is £39,518.

The RMT said that figure was still too high because it excluded rail cleaning staff who are not categorised as rail workers by the ONS.

How will the rail strikes affect your journey? What alternative forms of transport are you using? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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