Passengers will continue to experience delays as a result of RMT industrial action scheduled for March 16, 18, 30, and April 1 against the 14 train operators represented by the Rail Delivery Group.
The Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers union (RMT) is presenting a “new and improved” pay offer from Network Rail to its members for a vote.
Following the new offer, the union announced on Tuesday evening it was suspending strikes that were due to take place from 2 am on 16 March until 1.59 am on 17 March.
Union members will vote on the offer, but the national executive has not recommended that members approve or reject the offer.
The union members’ vote will begin on March 9 and conclude on March 20 at noon.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, stated, “Network Rail has made a new and improved offer, and our members will now determine whether or not to accept it.
“We will continue our campaign for a negotiated resolution on all aspects of the railroad dispute.”
In addition, the RMT stated that the new offer includes additional funds and is not contingent on adopting Network Rail’s modernizing maintenance agenda, which it opposes.
The offer equates to an uplift on salaries of between 14.4% for the lowest paid grades to 9.2% for the highest paid, it said.
It also corresponds to an increase in basic pay ranging from 15.2% for the lowest-paid grades to 10.3% for the highest-paid grades.
The majority of RMT members at Network Rail earn less than £35,000, according to the union. So the majority of union members will be eligible for the 15.2% increase over two years.
Other components of the agreement include a 75% discount on leisure travel, and a long-held Network Rail member demand.
The deal is likely to be approved. More than a third (36%) of Network Rail RMT members who voted on the last offer before Christmas approved it.
However, passengers will continue to experience disruptions due to RMT industrial action scheduled for March 16, 18, 30, and April 1 against the 14 train operators represented by the Rail Delivery Group.
“We are relieved for our people, passengers, and freight customers that industrial action in Network Rail has now been suspended,” said Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines. We await additional information regarding referendum preparations.”
