Network Rail strikes suspended after new pay offer

THE impact of a day of rail strikes next week could be severely reduced after the RMT said it would be suspending action by Network Rail staff.

Network Rail staff who belong to the union had planned to take industrial action on March 16 but the union’s executive committee received a fresh pay offer and called it off. Crucially, members will be asked to vote on the new deal, something Network Rail has long been pushing for.

RMT’S planned industrial action on March 16, 18, 30 and April 1 will go ahead.

However, the suspension of industrial action by Network Rail staff is crucial to the success of the strike as it includes signallers, who are essential to the running of services.

Overtime bans and rest day working bans by Network Rail staff during March and April have also been suspended.

The move will come as a surprise to some, as last month Network Rail’s chief negotiator said that the negotiations had reached a roadblock and it would take a “hiatus” on negotiations.

Last month, Network Rail said it expected to operate 5,000 services on March 16 but significantly more are expected to run if the strike action is cancelled.