The announcement of more rail strikes in February has been condemned by the Business Travel Association.
The action by members of the Aslef train drivers’ union to walk out on February 1 and 3 will cause nationwide “misery”, the head of the association warned.
BTA chief executive Clive Wratten was reacting to the latest walkout as a new pay offer linked to changes in working practices was rejected.
The companies affected include Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; London North Eastern Railway; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; depot drivers at South Western Railway; SWR Island Line; TransPennine Express and West Midlands Trains.
Wratten said: “The decision to hold further strikes will cause misery across the country.
“Businesses are being brought to a standstill and the rail industry is losing £1.4 million per day through the lack of corporate travel alone.
“The rail network should be the heartbeat of our country, it is essential that a deal is found to enable our businesses and economy to grow once more.”
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “The proposal is not and could not ever be acceptable but we are willing to engage in further discussions within the process that we previously agreed.”