Transport Secretary, said:
“I am pleased Network Rail’s RMT members have voted to accept a
fair and reasonable 5% plus 4% pay offer, over two years, that
the Government worked hard to facilitate.
“While this is good news, unfortunately, RMT members who work for
train operating companies are not being given the same chance to
bring their dispute to an end. That’s because the RMT has refused
to put the Rail Delivery Group’s very similar offer to a vote,
denying these members the pay rise they deserve.
“That’s why I am once 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.”
Background
- TSSA, Unite and RMT members working for Network Rail have all
had the opportunity to vote on their future with some already
resolving their dispute.
-
What offer has been made to the RMT by
Train Operating Companies
(TOCs)
- TOCs (via RDG, excluding drivers) have had a fair and
reasonable offer, a 5% + 4% pay increase over two years, with
larger increases for the lower paid. TSSA members at TOCs
recently accepted this offer. This offer will deliver much
needed and ambitious reform of the railway that is necessary to
secure the future of the industry, while not overburdening
taxpayers at a time of significant pressure on public finances.
- This fair pay offer balances the need to ensure pay
restraint while costs are subsidised by the taxpayer and looks
to deliver efficiencies through savings and much needed reforms
to modernise our railways.
- Network Rail management have accepted a 1 year, 4% pay
deal.
-
Why is this a good deal for railway workers and why
should they accept it?
- The deal provides a significant uplift and an improved pay
offer to workers at a time of great challenge for the rail
sector. Crucially this deal targets the lowest paid, where a
worker earning £20,000 could receive a £1,750 uplift in pay in
year 1, which is an 8.8% increase.
- This offer also includes guarantees of no compulsory
redundancies, providing job security and certainty to the rail
workforce.
-
What reforms are included in the
deal?
- These pay deals will enable the delivery critical reforms
essential for the long-term sustainability of our railways for
the railway including:
- Ending reliance of voluntary overtime to run a reliable
7-day service
- Use of part-time contracts and flexible working rosters and
patterns to encourage a more diverse workforce who can fit
shifts around other commitments
- The creation of a new multi-skilled station worker role,
with station staff trained and equipped to take on a range of
responsibilities aimed at better meeting the needs of
customers
- Reduces the reliance on taxpayers to fund the railways and
steps towards a more modern railway
- Vital reforms to Network Rail’s maintenance function
including new individual rostering to suit the 24/7 railway,
joint and cooperative working and agreeing a set of mandatory
overlapping skills for maintenance staff
