Rail bosses make a ‘ best and final offer’

TRAIN operators have made a ‘best and final offer’ to the biggest rail workers union in a bid to break the deadlocked dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said the offer to the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) included a minimum pay rise of 9 per cent over two years and guaranteed no compulsory redundancies until at least the end of December 2024, an improvement to the previous offer of April 1, 2024.

The RDG said: ‘The offer... would allow the industry to adapt to significant changes in the ways in which passengers use the railway, while offering rewarding and varied careers for staff.

‘If accepted, it would help recover the industry’s finances post-Covid, reducing the burden on taxpayers at a time of significant pressure on public spending.’

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the union’s executive will consider the offer and decide its next steps ‘in due course’.

Under the offer, staff who are paid below a certain threshold will receive a guaranteed £1,750 in year one, ensuring that lower-paid employees benefit most.

Pay would be backdated to the relevant 2022 pay award date with employers, enabling staff to benefit from a lump-sum payment in the first available pay run.

The RDG said many of its proposals ‘simply extend’ best practice already in place in parts of the network, including the creation of a multi-skilled station role, new ‘station groups’ so staff are more able to move between stations to help passengers – for example, where there are staff shortages – and the use of part-time contracts and flexible working rosters.

Current voluntary working arrangements on Sundays would be formalised, which the RDG said would help to reduce delays and disruption for passengers during weekend travel at a time when Sunday travel demand has increased significantly.

A voluntary redundancy scheme will be made available for those who wish to leave the industry.

The contentious issue of expanding driver-only operations is not included in the new offer.

The RDG said industrial action has cost the industry £480 million in lost ticket

‘Bring an end to this dispute’

revenue since June, on top of its current £2 billion fares shortfall after Covid.

The group’s chairman, Steve Montgomery, said: ‘This is a fair offer that gives RMT members a significant uplift over the next two years – weighted particularly for those on lower incomes who we know are most feeling the squeeze – while allowing the railway to innovate and adapt to new travel patterns.

‘We urge the RMT to put this offer to its members so we can bring an end to this damaging dispute for our people, our passengers and the long- term future of Britain’s railways.’