Rail strikes could lead to a “summer of discontent” with empty shelves, economic damage and dry fuel pumps ready to be put to the test, according to industry figures.

Union bosses plan to unleash hell for the railways as the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union (RMT) votes for strike action at train operators and Network Rail.

With industrial actions coming as soon as June 7 – and strikes already announced for the London Underground over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend at several stations – leaders are already drawing up contingency plans to reduce disruption .

Freight trains could be given priority over passenger services to minimize fuel and food shortages – which could worsen the cost of living crisis for many, according to the Times.

Fears are growing over a repeat of the 1978 ‘winter of discontent’ in which a series of strikes by waste workers, gravediggers and lorry drivers resulted in squalid conditions for Britons under Labor Prime Minister Jim Callaghan.

Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) leader Manuel Cortes has threatened the biggest disruption since the 1926 general strike, according to the Telegraph.

Union bosses plan to unleash hell for the railways as the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union (RMT) votes for a strike

Union bosses are trying to secure massive wage increases despite reduced capacities after the pandemic, which means cuts must be made

Network Rail could be forced to operate on a skeletal timetable to reserve tracks for the movement of goods – with passengers only having access to key services.

With the persistence of a shortage of truck drivers, the switch to road transport is unlikely to be able to alleviate a freight crisis.

Any disruption to freight could also damage fuel deliveries, potentially risking a repeat of the 1973-74 miners’ strike under Conservative Prime Minister Ted Heath, which led to commercial electricity consumption being limited to a three-day week.

Grant Shapps would meet the Prime Minister this week to draw up government plans to mitigate the damage caused by the unions.

Freight supply chain disruption could lead to empty shelves in UK supermarkets

Strikes have already been announced for the London Underground over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend at several stations

Fears are growing over a repeat of the 1978 ‘winter of discontent’ in which a series of strikes led to squalid living conditions across Britain

Rubbish piled up in the streets during the winter of 1978 under Jim Callaghan’s Prime Minister of Labor

Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) leader Manuel Cortes has threatened the biggest disruption since the 1926 general strike (pictured)

A National Rail strike – particularly involving flagmen – could lead to a severely exhausted timetable across the board and is a scenario ministers fear.

The row comes as Mr Shapps plots a series of cuts and reforms to Britain’s rail network.

Demand for rail services has collapsed to just 70% of pre-Covid levels, and action is needed to offset falling revenues with wages and other costs.

Thousands of jobs are set to be cut, ticket offices closed and rail pensions also reformed as part of the cuts.

Mick Lynch, RMT General Secretary, said: “We believe in modernizing the railways, but we don’t believe in sacrificing thousands of jobs, constantly freezing wages or endangering the railways .”

“This is what the government’s plans will mean for the railways if RMT and other transport unions do not mount a full defense of the industry.”

A DfT spokesman said: “With passenger numbers down and our railways on life support, we need to act to adapt them for the future.”

“We want a fair deal for staff, passengers and taxpayers so that money is not taken from other essential public services like the NHS.

“The unions should talk to us about the proposals before they cause irreparable damage to our railways and strikes should be the last resort, not the first.”