Rail union: Strikes could last 5 years!

RAIL strikes that are crippling the nation's transport system and hitting the economy could last for five years, a union boss warned.

- Jonathan Walker

Walkouts brought many services to a halt yesterday, disrupting journeys to the FA Cup Final and Epsom Derby.

Fans going to see pop queen Beyonce's gig at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in north London last night were also hit.

It came as nine in 10 people believe that the £65,000 pay deal offered to train drivers is either fair or overly generous.

The offer would bring average salaries up from £60,000 over two years but this was rejected as "risible" by the Aslef union's executive committee.

A Sunday Express poll found an overwhelming majority of the public think drivers have been offered enough, with 49 per cent saying the proposed deal is "fair" and 41 per cent saying it is "too much".

Just 10 per cent think drivers should receive more, the survey by Omnisis found.