Members of the Aslef union walked out on Friday as train driver’s negotiations with the government have stalled over the past four months.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan told BBC Breakfast: “They talk a good game, they don’t actually engage, they haven’t taken any ownership of this process as far as we’re concerned.
“The only people they talk to are the companies, they don’t talk to us.
“And every time we try and find a middle ground… they did something that was deliberately set up to fail.”
Rail minister Huw Merriman told Times Radio: “I’m very sorry for the inconvenience that passengers will have to bear.
“The sad reality of this situation is that there are offers on the table which have been given to both the train drivers’ union and the RMT.
“The leadership have chosen not to put those offers to their members and I feel if they did, there would be the opportunity for members to decide if they wish to take them.
“If you look at the train driver situation, they are paid just under £60,000. The pay offer would take them to £65,000 for a 35-hour week.
“We feel these are fair and reasonable, and we need to see those put to their members. So it is not the case that there is not an offer there — the offer is there, we just need it put to members to see what they think about it.”
