The dispute between the RMT and train operators is continuing, after the union said last night that fresh talks had made little progress.

There had been hopes of an end to the strikes, because walkouts at 14 operators in England planned for 30 March and 1 April had been suspended, two days after the RMT had agreed to end its separate dispute at Network Rail.

The move to call off the strikes at operators had come during the afternoon of 22 March after the Rail Delivery Group had tabled a new offer which the RMT said ‘could lead to a resolution to resolve the current national rail dispute’.

But further talks had produced ‘no further document’, the union said last night, adding that ‘members are rightly frustrated by this, and the Tory government is once again absent when it comes to giving the RDG the mandate to produce a new document’.

The RDG agreed to write to the union ‘in due course’, and the RMT said it was expecting to have another meeting after Easter.

But it has also launched a new ballot, with a closing date of 4 May.

The union warned: ‘While negotiations continue, we remain in dispute and resolute in our determination to win a further mandate for strike action in the upcoming re-ballot. Be in no doubt, if further strikes are needed, RMT will not hesitate to act to ensure a negotiated settlement on jobs, pay and working conditions.’