The RMT union has rejected “dreadful” pay offers from Network Rail and train operators, prolonging the long-running dispute on the railway.
The union’s general secretary, Mick Lynch, said it had consulted in-depth with its 40,000 rail members, and the “loud and clear” message was to reject the offers.
A smaller union, the TSSA, said it would put the offer from train operators to a referendum of its members.
The RMT’s national executive committee met on Friday to discuss the branch members’ responses to the offers, amounting to a 9% increase over 2022 and 2023, but with significant changes to terms and conditions.
The proposals were understood to have been met with anger by many staff around the country, with some branches urging increased action. Despite the absolute increase, the pay will amount to a real-terms pay cut for many, with more antisocial hours and less job security.
The transport secretary, Mark Harper, said this week the offers from industry to the two sets of rail workers were the “best and final”.
Lynch said: “We have carried out an in-depth consultation of our 40,000 members and the message we have received loud and clear is to reject these dreadful offers. Our members cannot accept the ripping up of their terms and conditions or to have safety standards on the railway put into jeopardy under the guise of so-called modernisation.
“If our union did accept these offers, we would see a severe reduction in scheduled maintenance tasks, making the railways less safe, the closure of all ticket offices and thousands of jobs stripped out of the industry when the railways need more investment not less.”
The union has not called further strikes but said it would re-ballot in May to extend the six-month mandate. The RMT staged 10 days of strikes during a total of four weeks of industrial action around Christmas and new year, without appearing to win further concessions.
The latest breakdown comes even as both sides confirmed that industrial relations had eased considerably since the departure of Harper’s predecessor, Grant Shapps, with “a more sensible discussion” and “less animosity” according to the Rail Delivery Group chair, Steve Montgomery.
Train drivers in the Aslef union went on strike for two days at the start of January but the RMT leadership had appeared to be closer to settling, continuing with talks through much of the month.
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However, negotiations have not upped the overall 9% increase available from Network Rail, which was matched in January by the RDG. And while the offers on each side are similar, the package has different implications. Many staff at train firms are already entitled to free or discounted rail travel, which was a significant financial benefit for some Network Rail employees.
The closure of ticket offices will leave thousands of staff vulnerable despite the creation of new roles, with guarantees of no compulsory redundancies expiring at the end of next year.
The TSSA has been in turmoil with the entire leadership team suspended since an inquiry by Lady Kennedy reported this week on sexual harassment and abuse by the former general secretary, Manuel Cortes.
Cortes was forced to retire in October but it has emerged that he remained on the payroll until this week. His replacement as interim general secretary, Frank Ward, is now also suspended, with a crisis administration in place considering next steps.
