Are rail talks back on track? RMT says it will give members a vote on whether to accept latest pay offer from Network Rail after suspending next week’s strikes

• The RMT said it would put the latest offer to members from today until March 20
• The Network Rail offer is worth just over 9 per cent over 2022 and this year
• READ MORE: Mick Lynch’s RMT union SUSPENDS industrial action by workers

Rail union chiefs will give workers a free vote on whether to accept the latest pay offer from Network Rail, boosting hopes that crippling walkouts could soon end. 

The RMT union said it will put the latest offer to members in a referendum from today until March 20. 

Crucially, it will not advise workers whether to vote for or reject the offer. A referendum held on a previous deal in December saw more than a third of members vote in favour of it despite the RMT urging them to reject it.

It means the latest offer, worth just over 9 per cent over 2022 and this year, stands a good chance of being accepted. 

On Tuesday the RMT called off a strike at Network Rail planned for next Thursday (March 16) after the new offer was tabled.

The RMT union said it will put the latest offer to members in a referendum from today until March 20.

On Tuesday the RMT called off a strike at Network Rail planned for next Thursday (March 16) after the new offer was tabled

The Mail revealed yesterday how it involves changing the dates of this year’s 4 per cent settlement. 

It will now be backdated to October last year rather than January this year, meaning workers will receive an extra £500 as part of a backdated lump sum. 

The offer also involves a 5 per cent pay increase for last year. For the lowest paid the deal is worth 14.4 per cent. 

Network Rail has also conceded ground on modernising working practices, such as using more technology to fix tracks and drones to detect faults. 

READ MORE: Relief at last for strike-hit rail users: Mick Lynch’s RMT union SUSPENDS industrial action by Network Rail workers after new offer from bosses – raising hopes the crippling walk-outs could be ending

Rather than simply pressing ahead with all the reforms come what may, union members will be consulted on some of them. 

Ground has also been given on new contracts which have proven controversial with the RMT. 

Shifting onto them will be optional and workers will not need to make a decision until October 2024, rather than October this year. 

The offer also includes no compulsory redundancies until 2025 and 75 per cent discount off rail travel for workers and their immediate family. 

RMT boss Mick Lynch said: ‘Network Rail has made a new and improved offer and now our members will decide whether to accept it. 

‘We will continue our campaign for a negotiated settlement on all aspects of the railway dispute.’ 

RMT strikes involving workers for 14 train operating companies, such as Southern, Avanti West Coast and Greater Anglia, will go ahead on March 16, 18, 30 and April 1.

But up to 80 per cent of trains can now run on those days because Network Rail staff will be working, although it will vary significantly between lines depending on whether trains need a guard. 

When Network Rail staff strike, only around 20 per cent of services are able to run due to the lack of signallers. 

But there are now hopes that the train operators’ strike action could also be resolved as the Network Rail offer could be used as a template to unlock the impasse. 

It is hoped a dispute with train drivers’ union Aslef could also be resolved.

Passengers have endured crippling strikes since June last year. The RMT has staged 16 and Aslef eight. 

The walkouts are estimated to have cost the industry at least £500million – enough to have settled the RMT dispute at the outset. 

Network Rail boss Andrew Haines said: ‘Our colleagues now have the chance to vote on this revised deal and end what has been many months of disruption to the railway network. 

‘The deal protects jobs, ensures a pay rise and will help us move forward as a business and a railway. 

‘I recognise that there may still be disruption for passengers this month due to other strike action, but this is a constructive step forward and I hope that my colleagues in the RMT will vote to accept this package.’ 

Source: Read Full Article