Fears are growing that a summer of discontent on Britain's railways could threaten many people's Christmas.
Train services across the country were affected for most of last week when RMT members were involved in three days of strikes.
Union general secretary Mick Lynch told the BBC that negotiations with Network Rail and train companies would continue today, though he described the road to a resolution as "very steep".
But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said at the weekend that the rail industry must "move with the times" and "banish the outdated working practices that are holding it back".
Major disruption was experienced by rail users across Scotland last week. The north-east was badly hit on the strike days, as there were no ScotRail services between the area and the rest of Scotland.
Scottish firms have been left counting the financial toll of the RMT action, which is expected to have cost them hundreds of millions of pounds in lost business and extra costs. Shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and visitor attractions were among those worst affected, along with commuters and tourists.
RMT, whose members range from guards and signallers to catering staff and cleaners, wants a written guarantee that no compulsory redundancies will be made as part of planned reforms.
Dispute could be settled
Mr Lynch said negotiations could then move on to a pay deal and working conditions and the dispute could be settled.
As well as assurances of no compulsory redundancies, RMT is looking for a pay rise of at least 7%.
The union says an offer of a 2% pay rise, with the possibility of a further 1%, was "unacceptable", pointing to the rising cost of living.
Network Rail said it would consider a pay rise above 3%, but only if the union agreed to modernise working practices.
Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports today that supplies of presents in time for Christmas are under threat from the RMT dispute.
Britain's fragile supply chains risk being thrown into chaos if rail strikes stretch into July and August.
More than 600 freight trains run up and down Britain every day carrying billions of pounds of goods - from TVs, clothes, whisky and Christmas decorations, to construction materials, steel, cars and waste paper.
Rail freight was prioritised
Ministers chose to prioritise rail freight over passenger services last week to avoid supermarkets running out of food and blackouts at large power stations such as Drax.
But a big increase in container-loads of goods shipped from China is due soon, following the easing of a pandemic lockdown last month.
The RMT is thought to be targeting the next wave of industrial action at the end of July. The union has a mandate to continue striking for up to six months.
A top rail freight industry figure told the Telegraph: "As the year goes on freight gets busier, particularly containers, so that's the big worry. The China surge will come in. And those ships are sailing now.
"It always gets busier as you go into August, particularly when we start seeing the Christmas stuff start to come through. Because obviously if you're selling it in October you're shipping it in August, September. So the Christmas surge isn't December - it's well ahead of that."
A senior rail industry source added: "From a freight perspective, Christmas is literally just around the corner with orders already at sea and heading for our shores. If this strike escalates, then it might not be the Christmas our children are hoping for."