RMT staff pay rise half what it demanded for members

RMT union bosses demanded pay rises of 7 per cent from rail firms while giving their own staff a rise that was just half that, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

They received just 3.6 per cent more to their basic wage, despite Mick Lynch, the general secretary, arguing that only a 7 per cent rise for his members would keep up with inflation.

Details were revealed in documents published after the union’s annual meeting last July, held just a fortnight after Mr Lynch’s demands.

Since then, the union has been in a long-running dispute over pay.

It announced last week that it would strike on the day of the Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Liverpool, after rejecting a deal from the Rail Delivery Group that would have secured them a 5 per cent rise this year for all staff, and 4 per cent next year.

Mr Lynch said that the Rail Delivery Group had reneged on their initial agreement and referred to the 4 per cent increase as a “very poor pay rise”.

However, The Daily Telegraph can now reveal that union staff received an even smaller pay rise last year. One RMT staff member said that they were shocked by the offer and the union should “practise what they preach”. They said: “How can they place demands for double the amount they are giving to their own?”

The RMT said that the pay agreement reflects the fact that the union is a membership organisation that exists on the basis of member contributions.

Membership fees had been frozen recently because many members had not received a pay rise in three years. It added: “The agreement reflected the nature of our organisation and

‘RMT should practise what they preach – how can they demand double the sum they are giving their own?’

solidarity between our members, officers and staff.” The documents also revealed concerns by black and ethnic minority members about their treatment. They said that for a progressive union, it had more to do to improve race equality. It called for an impartial investigation but this was voted down.

The RMT said: “Our union constantly strives for greater equality in our society, in the workplace and in our union.”

A motion calling for support for Jeremy Corbyn, saying Labour no longer offered a socialist alternative to capitalism, was also not adopted.