Hopes of a resolution to some of the ongoing industrial disputes on Britain’s railways have risen after RMT union members voted to accept Network Rail’s improved offer and the union suspended strike action against train operating companies (TOCs).
The RMT said on Monday that its 20,000 members had voted to accept a new and improved offer covering pay, jobs and conditions by a margin of three to one. In a turnout of nearly 90%, RMT members voted by 76% to 24% to accept the offer.
The union said the offer included new money and was made following the most recent strike action in January and the threat of more action.
General secretary Mick Lynch said that a year ago the union was told that Network Rail workers would only get 2-3%: ‘However, since then strike action and the inspiring solidarity and determination of members has secured new money and a new offer which has been clearly accepted by our members and that dispute is now over.’
Mr Lynch added that the dispute with the TOCs ‘remains firmly on’, adding: ‘If the Government now allows the train companies to make the right offer, we can then put that to our members.’
Transport secretary Mark Harper said in response that while the vote was ‘good news’, RMT members working for TOCs were not being given the same chance to bring their dispute to an end ‘because the RMT has refused to put the Rail Delivery Group’s very similar offer to a vote, denying these members the pay rise they deserve’.
However, on Wednesday the RMT said the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) had tabled a proposal that could lead to a resolution through a new offer and as a result the union suspended strike action scheduled for 30 March and 1 April.
An RDG spokesperson called the move ‘great news for our customers and for our staff’, adding: ‘We are now jointly focused on working constructively towards a settlement to this dispute.’
The Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘After Network Rail employees overwhelmingly voted to accept a similar pay offer earlier this week, we’re once again asking the RMT executive to do the right thing and put this fair and reasonable offer to its members.’
Train drivers represented by the ASLEF union remain in dispute with the TOCs.
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