RMT union rejects Network Rail pay offer

Thousands of rail workers and signalling staff voted in favor of the offer, a 9% pay increase over the past two years, in a referendum that closed on Monday.

The union said on a turnout of nearly 90%, the members of the union voted by 76% -- 24% to accept the offer, and it was ending its dispute with Network Rail.

The result should lead to an end to the most disruptive strikes, and raise hopes that all pay disputes across the railway could be settled, although the RMT said 14 train operators are still poised to strike on two days next week March 30 and 1 April, and drivers in the Aslef union have not yet settled their dispute.

The breakthrough with the RMT at Network Rail, where the union has called most strikes has the most leverage, will be welcomed by the industry as a crucial moment in resolving the most widespread strikes in decades.

The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said the union had initially been told in spring 2022 that workers would only get a 2% or 3% pay rise. He added that the dispute is now over because of the strikes action and the inspiring solidarity and determination of members.

Our dispute with the train operating companies continues and our members recent highly effective strike action across the 14 train companies shows their determination to secure a better deal.

The ball is in the government's court. The deal is expected to be worth upwards of 15.2% more than the lowest paid, with all pay going up by at least 1,750 and some additional backdated pay agreed in the revised offer, after the deal was initially rejected in a vote before Christmas.

Transport secretary Mark Harper said he was pleased that Network Rail's RMT members have voted to accept a fair and reasonable 5% plus 4% pay offer, which the government has worked hard to facilitate over two years.

RMT members who work for train operating companies don't have the chance to bring their dispute to an end, which is good news. That is because the RMT has refused to put the Rail Delivery Group's RDG very similar offer to a vote, denying these members the pay rise they deserve.

That is why I am again urging the RMT to call off their upcoming strikes across train operating companies, put the Rail Delivery Group offer to a vote, and give all of their members a say. Andrew Haines, Network Rail's chief executive, said he was pleased that RMT members were able to vote on this offer and the overwhelming vote in favor is good news for our people, our passengers and our country. My team and I will focus on rebuilding our railway. The RMT has just over 20,700 members at Network Rail, including 18,300 in grades voting in the referendum, out of 42,000 Network Rail staff. More than 20,000 train operators and station staff are in the RMT and are still in dispute; roughly 3,000 in the smaller TSSA union accepted the RDG pay offer last month.

More than 12,000 drivers in Aslef are employed by national rail train operators contracted to the Department for Transport and remain in dispute. Drivers have fewer strikes, but are usually able to halt services completely when they do so. While a final agreement with Aslef is thought to be some way off, talks are continuing and no more strikes are expected at this point.