Train strikes: RMT union rejects offer to stop Christmas walkoutson December 5, 2022 at 10:34 am

Talks aimed at averting train strikes before Christmas are expected to continue on Monday, after the RMT union rejected an initial offer by the group representing train companies.

The latest round of strikes by union members at 14 train firms and Network Rail is due to begin in eight days.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said its offer would allow for a 4% pay rise this year and another 4% next year.

But the RMT said the offer did not meet its criteria for pay or conditions.

Industrial action is currently due to take place across four 48-hour periods: 13-14 December, 16-17 December, 3-4 January and 6-7 January.

The RDG – which represents the 14 train operators – set out a number of proposed changes to working practices which it said would help to fund a pay rise for staff of 4% this year, backdated to the beginning of the financial year, followed by another 4% next year.

These include repurposing or closing ticket offices, with staff having new “multi-skilled” roles and Sunday working where it is not in place already. Other proposals by the RDG to “secure the future of the industry” included drivers operating the train doors in more areas, although it insists guards would be still be on board.

The group proposed the use of part-time contracts and flexible working patterns, which it said would help bring in a more diverse workforce who could fit in shifts around other commitments. There would also be a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies until April 2024.

The RDG called on the union to avoid “upsetting the travel plans of millions and cause real hardship for businesses which depend on Christmas custom”.

However, the RMT union’s general secretary Mick Lynch said the proposals would not be acceptable to its members.

“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,” he said.

Mr Lynch added that if the plan was implemented, it would “not only mean the loss of thousands of jobs” because of the closure of ticket offices, for example, but also the use of “unsafe practices” like driver-only operated trains.

He said it would “leave our railways chronically understaffed”.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper described the RMT’s rejection as “incredibly disappointing”.

He added the government would continue to play its part in facilitating talks between the unions and employers.

The RDG offer is separate to negotiations with Network Rail, which maintains the railways throughout Britain and employs signallers and maintenance workers – about half of the workers in the dispute.

On Sunday, Network Rail made what it described as its “best and final” offer to its staff, which included a 5% pay rise this year and 4% next year, and no compulsory redundancies for workers in its general grades and controllers until 31 January 2025.

But industry sources have said previously that if strikes are to be called off, it would need to happen by the end of Monday to avoid disruption for passengers.

The RMT’s national executive committee will consider Network Rail’s proposal on Monday.

Along with other rail unions, members of the RMT want pay rises to go up in line with the surging cost of living.

Hospitality bosses have raised concerns, however, that if strikes go ahead in the upcoming weeks, pubs, restaurants and cafes will be severely affected during what is usually the busiest time of the year.

UK Hospitality recently warned that the strike action will cost the sector about £1.5bn in lost sales.

Some 40,000 workers are expected to walk out and there is likely to be disruption in the days around the strikes due to trains not being in the right places.

The rail industry is under pressure to save money after the pandemic left a hole in its finances, and bosses say reforms are needed to modernise the railway and make pay rises affordable.

The RDG said there would be opportunities for redeployment and voluntary redundancy programmes for those rail workers who wished to leave.

The proposals it set out would have had to go to local representatives for approval.

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