Train strikes: RMT rejects offer aimed at averting festive strikes

127883838 gettyimages 1446039036
UK
Passengers leaving a trainGetty Images

The RMT union has rejected an offer from the group representing train companies which sought to stop strikes in the run-up to Christmas.

The latest round of strikes by RMT members at Network Rail and 14 train companies is due to begin in nine days.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said its offer included a pay increase for staff of up to 8% over two years.

But the RMT said it would lead to huge job losses and called for an urgent meeting with bosses on Monday.

In the ongoing row over pay, working conditions and job security for rail workers, industrial action is currently due to take place across four 48-hour periods on 13-14 and 16-17 December, and 3-4 and 6-7 January.

The RDG described the offer it made on Sunday as an “outline framework agreement”, which included a package of proposed changes to current working practices like repurposing or closing ticket offices, with staff having new multiskilled roles, and Sunday working where it is not in place already.

These would help to fund a pay rise for staff of 4% this year, backdated to the beginning of the financial year, followed by another 4% next year, it said.

It also included a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies until April 2024, as well as the use of part-time contracts and flexible working patterns.

The group said this would help bring in a more diverse workforce who could fit in shifts around other commitments.

But the RMT union’s general secretary Mick Lynch said the proposals would not be acceptable to its members.

“We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria for securing a settlement on long-term job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions,” he said.

Mr Lynch added that if the plan was implemented, it would “not only mean the loss of thousands of jobs” but also the use of “unsafe practices” like driver-only operated trains. He said it would “leave our railways chronically understaffed.”

The RDG had called on the union to avoid “upsetting the travel plans of millions and cause real hardship for businesses which depend on Christmas custom”.

Earlier on Sunday, it described the offer as “fair and affordable offer in challenging times, providing a significant uplift in salary for staff”.

Woman looks at rail departures board

Getty Images

Along with other rail unions, members of the RMT want pay rises to go up in line with the surging cost of living.

Hospitality bosses have raised concerns, however, that if strikes go ahead in the upcoming weeks, pubs, restaurants and cafes will be severely affected during what is usually the busiest time of the year.

UK Hospitality recently warned that the strike action will cost the sector about £1.5bn in lost sales.

Some 40,000 workers are expected to walk out and there is likely to be disruption in the days around the strikes due to trains not being in the right places.

The rail industry is under pressure to save money after the pandemic left a hole in its finances, and bosses say reforms are needed to modernise the railway and make pay rises affordable.

Other proposals by the RDG to “secure the future of the industry” included a move to drivers also operating the train doors, although guards would be still be on board.

The group said there would be opportunities for redeployment and voluntary redundancy programmes for those rail workers who wished to leave.

But this is separate to negotiations with Network Rail, which employs about half of the workers in the dispute.

Network Rail, which maintains the railways throughout Britain, first made an offer back in the summer and is still in negotiations to try to agree some areas of change which might allow its current pay offer to increase.

Those talks have been continuing over the weekend.

But it says that if strikes are to be called off, it would need to happen by the end of Monday to avoid disruption for passengers.

Products You May Like

Articles You May Like

UK hits out at Chinese-backed cyber-attacks
Prosecutors ‘correct’ to accept Nottingham killer’s pleas, review finds
UK to link electoral register hack to China
Housing fleeceholds the next big scandal, peer warns
Probation mistake ‘signed my daughter’s death warrant’

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.