TRANSPORT SECRETARY REACTS TO RMT ACCEPTING NETWORK RAIL'S OFFER

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper 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