In an effort to put an end to a string of statewide strikes that have severely disrupted train travel, UK rail infrastructure manager Network Rail has presented the RMT union with a new salary offer.
Since last summer, the RMT, which represents about 40,000 rail employees, has staged a string of debilitating statewide strikes in an ongoing conflict with Network Rail and train operators over pay, working conditions, and jobs.
The amended offer had been received by the union, according to an RMT representative, and the NEC would now “examine its contents.”
The official continued, “No decision has been taken on the ideas or any of the components within them. In the future, we will consult members in branch and regional meetings. We’ll provide an update on our upcoming actions when it’s appropriate.
Separate strikes by the TSSA (Transport Salaried Staffs Association) and the ASLEF train drivers’ union, which are engaged in their own independent conflicts over pay, jobs, and working conditions, have also impacted the UK’s rail network.
After rejecting the most current proposal from the train companies earlier this month, ASLEF employees are holding their most recent strikes on Wednesday and Friday, 1 and 3 February. The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said this week’s strike is “severely disrupting some portions of the rail network.”
Separately, this week, the TSSA’s rail industry members received two fresh offers from rail businesses, one of which included a raise for the lowest-paid employees of about 13% over two years.
“There has been movement on a number of fronts – on salary, job security, and the future working conditions of many members,” TSSA organizing director Luke Chester said.
We will now collaborate with our representatives to carefully evaluate whether the terms being proposed are just and acceptable to put to a vote among members.
