Rail staff vote for six months of strikes as talks drag on

RAIL union leaders have received a mandate to continue a campaign of strike action for another six months as talks over pay rises and working conditions drag on.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport workers’ union (RMT) said that more than nine in 10 members backed further walkouts across Network Rail, the owner of tracks and stations, as well as 14 train operating companies.

Hostilities between the RMT and rail chiefs have eased in recent weeks after unions called off strike action at the start of November. So-called “intensive negotiations” have been launched to break a long-running impasse.

Average voting turnout was 70.2pc across Network Rail and the train operators, above the legal minimum of 50pc.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said the results of yesterday’s ballot endorsed the union’s plans to go on strike again if necessary. He said: “This union is determined to continue with this campaign until the employers understand that they need to respond to our members’ aspirations on job security, pay and working conditions.”

Strike action by drivers union Aslef is due to go ahead on Nov 26. Aslef ’s dispute

‘Employers need to respond to our members’ aspirations on job security, pay and working conditions’

is focused on demands for inflation-linked pay rises.

The RMT has led the fight against changes to working conditions and demanded inflation-linked pay rises.

Rail chiefs say changes have to balance the books of the sector – failure to do so would lead to taxpayers bearing the additional cost.