Rail workers’ dispute continues as RMT union rejects latest pay offer

“We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria

The biggest rail workers’ union has rejected an offer from train operators aimed at resolving a longrunning dispute over pay, jobs and conditions,

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) offered an 8% pay rise and guarantee of no compulsory redundancies before April 2024.

However, within hours of the offer, it was rejected by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).

RMT said: “The RDG is offering 4% in 2022 and 2023 which is conditional on RMT members accepting vast changes to working practices, huge job losses, driver only operated (DOO) trains on all companies and the closure of ticket offices.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria for securing a settlement on long-term job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions.

“The RDG and Department of Transport, who sets their mandate, both knew this offer would not be acceptable to RMT members.

“If this plan was implemented, it would not only mean the loss of thousands of jobs but the use of unsafe practices such as DOO and would leave our railways chronically understaffed.

“RMT is demanding an urgent meeting with the RDG tomorrow (Monday) morning with a view to securing a negotiated settlement on job security, working conditions and pay.”

The RMT said Network Rail have also made a “complex” offer on pay and working practices which the union’s executive will consider today.

The RMT said the RDG was proposing that all workforce changes were accepted without reservation or industrial action.

Other proposals included flexible working contracts, mandatory adoption of new technology with no payment and new annual leave and sick pay arrangements, said the union.

The strikes, on December 13-14 and 16-17, coupled with an overtime ban over Christmas, would result in a month of disruption on the network, said the RDG.