LONDON -- Most train services across Britain have been canceled as thousands of rail workers staged the latest in a string of strikes over jobs, pay and working conditions.

Saturday's 24-hour walkout by 40,000 cleaners, signalers, maintenance workers and station staff was the third in a week.

The action is part of a surging wave of strikes from workers seeking pay raises to keep up with inflation that is running at almost 10%. Only about 20% of train services are expected to run with disruption spilling over into Sunday morning.

Unions accuse the government of preventing train companies from making a deal to end the dispute.

The government denies that and has urged unions to work with employers and "not against them."