Workers 'could get more benefits in bid to end crippling industrial action'

Government could give strikers extra benefits to end crippling industrial action, but it will 'hold firm' on wages, a source has reportedly said Whitehall Mick Lynch speaks during a railway strike last year (

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Benefits could be given to striking public sector workers in an attempt to settle the dispute, government sources reportedly said.

The country has been hit by industrial action over the past month, involving nurses, paramedics and public transport workers who have chosen to strike.

As long-running disputes over pay, jobs and working conditions continue into the new year, members of Network Rail's Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and 14 rail operators will stage two 48-hour walkouts from Tuesday to Friday while Aslef union drivers go on strike on Thursday.

Union leaders have said only 'reasonable' proposals will end the rail dispute as passengers brace for further disruption this week ahead of strikes by tens of thousands of workers.

They accused government ministers of 'sitting on their hands' and failing to help broker a deal when passengers were to expect 'significant disruption' with only a limited number of trains put into circulation.

Ambulance personnel are among the workers who have gone on strike in recent months (

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Getty Images)

Now sources have said government ministers are considering giving more benefits to workers with increased holiday pay, pension benefits and bonuses.

But at the same time, they will "hold on" on the salary.

It comes as RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: 'We don't want disruption, we want a settlement. There has been too much disruption on the railway caused by government policy and if we can get sensible proposals, we can work towards a solution."

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