The latest round of strikes during a summer of chaos for passengers has sparked bitter exchanges between union leaders and ministers. As thousands of drivers from seven companies, including West Midlands Trains and Southeastern, walked out over pay, huge sections of the rail network in England and Wales were left without services. It also meant there were no trains in England’s second largest city apart from a “special bus” between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International to help people get to Commonwealth Games events. With frustration evident on both sides, Ashlef accused transport secretary Grant Shapps of lying about negotiations over the summer’s rail strikes. Mick Whelan, Aslef general secretary, said: “We are not dragging our feet in negotiations. we negotiate with 14 private companies. We do not work for the government or the DfT [Department for Transport].” Whelan was responding to comments from Sapps, who had accused “paramilitary union leaders” of bringing the country to a standstill. Writing in the Times, Shapps had said: “RMT [union] he is delaying reforms and Aslef is dragging his feet on negotiations while both are calling for more strikes.” The Department for Transport later issued a statement saying it was “misleading” to suggest Shapps should be involved in negotiations over pay and working practices. Amid the growing tension, Conservative West Midlands mayor Andy Street joined the ranks, branding the strikes a “cynical manipulation of the Games”. He said: “It is an international holiday and I feel it is a great shame that they are being targeted in this way.” Saturday’s packed Games schedule included gymnastics, T20 cricket, swimming, boxing, hockey and netball. These events, however, were not the only ones affected. Trips to the first games of the season for most English Football League clubs and Lady Gaga’s concert in London were also hit, the latest chapter in a series of departures. On Wednesday, commuters were hit with a rail strike after around 40,000 RMT members at Network Rail and 14 other train companies walked out over pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions. On Saturday Aslef said it was striking because rising inflation meant the value of workers’ wages was falling, while rail bosses were pocketing huge paychecks. Explaining the strikes, Whelan said they were “a last resort” and that many Aslef members had not received a pay rise for three years and wanted the “ability to negotiate”. “The people we work for make hundreds of millions of pounds and give money to their shareholders,” Whelan said. The latest strike, held by around 5,000 members, also affected Arriva Rail London – which operates the London Overground – Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains and Heathrow Express. No trains were running on Southeastern, while operators including Great Western – which runs between England and Wales – had significantly reduced services. Snow Hill station in central Birmingham was completely shut down, with protesters standing meters from the Commonwealth Marathon route, which closed several roads in the city. Race organizers encouraged ticket holders traveling locally to walk or cycle if possible and said additional park and ride services were being put in place. An additional 600 buses were used to help visitors reach the 16 event venues. Saturday’s statement from the DfT was issued to clarify Shapps’ role during the strikes. He said: “His role is to protect the public purse, ensuring value for money for the working people of this country. “He is therefore required to set the limits of taxpayer support and ultimately sign any agreement, not engage in a negotiation and his contracts with operators allow him to do just that.”