Mark Harper asks unions to “reconsider” their industrial action after a recent RMT poll reveals that over 40% would accept the proposed compromise.
Mark Harper, the U.K.’s transport secretary, has asserted that the “tide is shifting” when it comes to the train unions’ stance on compensation offers.
Yesterday, 64% of RMT members rejected the latest offer from Network Rail.
The agreement would have resulted in thousands of layoffs, a 50% reduction in scheduled maintenance activities, and a 30% increase in unsocial hours over the course of two years.
However, Mr. Harper stated that it had more support than previous offers, urging the union to “reconsider it, call off the strikes, and accept a decent pay offer.”
Today marks the beginning of a string of strike days this month, which will include the 13, 14, 16, and 17 of December.
Additionally, additional strikes are scheduled between 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 5:59 a.m. on December 27.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, criticized the government for “refusing to lift a finger to halt these strikes” and said that his members would “continue their struggle for a fair deal for workers, substantial pay increases, and good working conditions.”
Mr. Harper stated that the government “must be fair to the taxpayer” and that “there is no endless well of money for the train business.
He asserted that the offer provided to employees was “very fair and reasonable” and noted that the TSSA union, which represents station employees, had already recommended it to its members.
Even while the RMT strongly advised its members not to accept the offer and to reject it outright, approximately 40 percent of RMT members still wanted to take it, according to the transport secretary.
“Therefore, I hope the union would reevaluate the situation, call off the strikes, and accept what is a decent salary offer, as I believe the tide is moving on whether these offers are reasonable or not.”
Mr. Harper refuted allegations that he had inserted stipulations to the deal’s terms and conditions, requiring members to accept autonomous trains without workers, which the RMT strongly opposes.
He continued, “I do not want these strikes to occur at all.” “They are harmful to travelers. They are detrimental to business.
But Labour’s Andrew Gwynne told that it was “the transport secretary’s responsibility to get down and negotiate a settlement” and accused him of refusing to do so.
“Ultimately, the public will be concerned that their Christmas plans are in disarray,” he continued.
“The government must take control of the situation, and that begins with sitting down, talking, meeting, and reaching a compromise that both parties can accept.”
“Recline and listen”
Mr. Gwynne also accused ministers of “allowing” nurses to strike later this month by refusing to bargain on compensation.
Last night, health minister Steve Barclay met with the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, Pat Cullen, with the RCN expecting he would accept a pay offer to avert two days of strike action.
Ms. Cullen disclosed that he “kept his word” and “refused to discuss salary,” accusing him of being “arrogant.”
Mr. Harper defended the action when questioned about it this morning, saying, “We have an independent pay review committee for the health service that has issued a set of recommendations for those who work in the health service, including nurses, whom we cherish.
Therefore, we have embraced all of their suggestions in full. The 19% salary increase requested by the nurses is unaffordable. I do not believe that to be reasonable. And it would divert funds from frontline health care.”
However, Labour’s Mr. Gwynne stated, “We are not claiming that we can finance the union’s demands, but a negotiation is merely that.” You sit down, listen to the issues and both sides’ concerns, and then reach a consensus. You identify areas of agreement and ultimately reach an agreement.
“The government would never do that. We would comply. We would meet down with the representatives of the businesses and work to prevent these strikes.
“There was not a single strike on the NHS during the last Labour administration. There is no rationale for one under this Conservative administration.”
