More rail strikes to take place in November after pay offer ‘U-turn’, RMT says
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Rail workers’ union RMT has announced more strikes next month following what it said was a pay offer “U-turn” from Network Rail.
Three days of strike action are set to take place on 3, 5 and 7 November.
Negotiations had been under way between the union and the rail operator.
The Railway, Maritime and Transport (RMT) said there had been an agreement that Network Rail would commit to an improved offer on pay and work towards a negotiated settlement but the company “reneged on their promises of an improved pay offer and sought to impose job cuts, more unsocial hours and detrimental changes to rosters”.
The strikes are taking place as the rail company “attempted to impose drastic changes in working practices”.
The union said Network Rail wrote directly to staff to undermine talks and have tried to rehash a previously rejected deal.
RMT staff will also strike on 3 November in a separate dispute with London Underground and Overground networks (Arriva Rail London).
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “On the one hand they (Network Rail) were telling our negotiators that they were prepared to do a deal, while planning to torpedo negotiations by imposing unacceptable changes to our members’ terms and conditions.
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“Our members are livid with these duplicitous tactics, and they will now respond in kind with sustained strike action.”
Reacting to the announcement, Network Rail’s chief negotiator, Tim Shoveller, said: “A two-year 8% deal, with discounted travel and a new extended job guarantee to January 2025, is on the table ready to be put to our staff.
“Unfortunately, the leadership of the RMT seem intent on more damaging strikes rather than giving their members a vote on our offer.
The company said it remains available for serious talks and to negotiate in good faith.
“Our sector has a £2bn hole in its budget with many fewer passengers using our services.
“That reality is not going to change anytime soon and a fair and affordable and improved deal is on the table, ready to be implemented if our people were only offered the opportunity.”
The latest announcement follows months of strike action from the union as they seek to halt redundancies and improve pay and conditions.
