It’s all right for some: Workers set to walk out got pay rises AND bonuses

HALF of RMT workers set to strike on the railways received pay rises and bonuses for two of the past three years, contradicting claims made by the hard-Left union’s boss.

About 20,000 RMT staff at Network Rail got salary increases of 3.2 per cent and 2.1 per cent in 2019 and 2020 respectively. These were linked to the RPI rate of inflation and workers pocketed £650 bonuses both years.

In 2018, they got 3.9 per cent rises as well as an £800 bonus.

Despite a pay freeze in 2021 – during the height of the pandemic – Network Rail has offered a rise of at least 2 per cent for 2022.

The increase could be even bigger if the union is willing to accept modernising work practices, such as more weekend rostering. For comparison, NHs staff were given a 3 per cent rise last year.

The internal Network Rail figures appear to contradict claims made by RMT boss Mick Lynch, who said in a recent interview: ‘We have had a pay freeze, we have missed two pay cycles with no increase during Covid and are now entering the third one.’

A spokesman for Mr Lynch said he was referring to staff employed by train firms that run services, and not Network Rail, which operates and maintains infrastructure. But Tory MP Greg smith, who sits on

the Commons transport committee, said: ‘Network Rail railway workers have had fair pay rises for much of the last decade. The economy is fragile, and those seeking to do massive economic, educational and social damage need to think again and do the right thing for themselves and the country.’

The RMT has ordered 40,000 workers for Network Rail and 13 train firms covering most of the country to strike on June 21, 23 and 25 over pay and job security.

In a separate row over pensions and 600 job losses, 10,000 London Underground staff who this year received an 8.4 per cent salary increase will join them on June 21.

Department for Transport figures showed that last year the median (mid-range) salary of rail workers was £44,000, about 70 per cent above the national average of £26,000.