Rail strikes to go ahead after RMT rejects pay offer over fears of job losses

The RMT rail union has rejected a pay offer from train operators. It means strike action in December would go ahead.

Earlier today the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) offered Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union workers an 8 per cent pay rise and guaranteed no compulsory redundancies before April 2024. However, RMT boss Mick Lynch said that the changes being proposed would eventually lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria for securing a settlement on long-term job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions. The RDG and Department of Transport, who sets their mandate, both knew this offer would not be acceptable to RMT members.

“If this plan was implemented, it would not only mean the loss of thousands of jobs but the use of unsafe practices such as DOO and would leave our railways chronically understaffed. RMT is demanding an urgent meeting with the RDG tomorrow (Monday) morning with a view to securing a negotiated settlement on job security, working conditions and pay.”

A spokesman for the RMT added: The RMT said: “The RDG is offering 4% in 2022 and 2023 which is conditional on RMT members accepting vast changes to working practices, huge job losses, Driver Only Operated (DOO) trains on all companies and the closure of all ticket offices.”

The Union said the deal put forward would lead to a long list of changes it could not agree with. It said the RDG was proposing that all workforce changes were accepted without reservation or industrial action, closure of all ticket offices and displacement of all retail staff, of a new multi-skilled station grades, a “mass job severance programme”, Driver-Only Operation of trains in all companies and on all passenger services, new arrangements for mandatory Sunday working and a review of all On-Train Catering services leading to cutbacks in provision and jobs.

Other proposals included flexible working contracts, mandatory adoption of new technology with no payment and new annual leave and sick pay arrangements, said the union. The RDG said its offer will deliver “vital and long overdue” changes to working arrangements.

The strikes are set to go ahead on December 13-14 and 16-17. The union has also banned overtime over Christmas, meaning there will likely be a month of disruption, according to the RDG.