UK's rail transport system is set to face major disruptions after negotiations between the government and rail union, RMT, aimed at resolving a dispute over pay, jobs and conditions collapsed.

The RMT is demanding for a seven percent pay increase, which is lower than inflation but higher than what is being offered by employers.

The industrial action on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday is set to be the largest in more than a generation, local media reported.

According to the union's general secretary Mick Lynch, the latest offers from publicly-owned Network Rail and private train operating companies had been declined.

Lynch has accused UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps of slashing billions of pounds in funding for the public transport sector while the union also alleges the government is trying to instigate thousands of job cuts.

Shapps has criticized the strike saying it is "totally wrong" and will adversely affect millions of people who rely on it while a spokesman for the Prime Minister described the move as "deeply disappointing".

Lynch added that the strike could last for months if a deal is not reached.

(With input from agencies)