Bosses’ union ultimatum

RAIL bosses yesterday warned union barons they will force through reforms to working practices if their offer of an per cent pay rise is snubbed.

Network Rail risked escalating its row with the militant RMT union over pay and jobs security by serving it with a socalled ‘section 1 ’ warning.

It means bosses can legally press ahead with modernisation of working practices without the union’s consent.

The move by Network Rail will be seen as an attempt to bounce the RMT into accepting its pay offer – but it could backfire by further angering the RMT and triggering more strikes.