Pressure grows on RMT as members of rival rail union agree deal

THOUSANDS of rail staff have accepted a pay deal that the RMT union is refusing to put to a ballot of its members, in a move that piles pressure on its leader Mick Lynch.

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) have voted to accept offers by train companies in the long-running dispute over pay, job security and conditions.

The deal accepted by the union’s 3,000 members includes at least a 9pc increase over two years, rising to more than 14pc for the lowest paid workers.

A spokesman for the union said: “This is a clear decision from our members, which will end our long-running dispute – something that could have happened months ago had it not been for government intransigence.”

The Government said: “The outcome of this referendum is positive news. Having been given the opportunity to vote on their own futures, we’re pleased that TSSA members overwhelmingly recognised the benefits of this fair and reasonable pay deal. Meanwhile, the RMT’S leaders are still refusing even to give their members the chance to vote on this offer.”

The RMT, which represents 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operators, rejected the offer this month and instead announced a fresh wave of rail strikes for Thursday March 16, Saturday March 18, Thursday March 30 and Saturday April 1.

It was widely thought that the union was preparing to agree to a new pay deal earlier this year, only for union hardliners to urge Mr Lynch not to put the terms to a ballot of its members.

Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, said the TSSA backing of the pay deal showed “disputes can be resolved when members are given an opportunity to have their say in a democratic vote”.

He added: “TSSA members have sent a clear message that they welcome this fair offer, which means that those on the lowest pay are now eligible for a rise of over 13pc, with all grades receiving at least a 9pc rise in their 2022-23 pay.”