RMT members back further strike action in row with train operating companies | UK News

Members of the largest rail employees union have voted to resume their mandate to strike through the subsequent six months within the long-running dispute over pay and circumstances.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) mentioned workers throughout 14 practice firms overwhelming backed taking extra industrial motion.

RMT common secretary Mick Lynch mentioned the outcome was a de-facto referendum on the pay supply that has been put to them.

“It’s clear from these outcomes that members usually are not ready to simply accept a pay supply primarily based on mass job cuts and main assaults on their phrases and circumstances,” he mentioned.

“This sends a transparent message to the employers that the large anger amongst rail employees may be very actual and they should recognise that reality, face actuality and make improved proposals.

“They should get across the desk with RMT and negotiate in good religion for a greater deal for rail employees.”

Unions concerned in disputes need to re-ballot their members each six months to legally proceed with strikes and different types of motion.

The RMT has already announced a strike against train companies on 13 Might, the day of the Eurovision Music Contest remaining in Liverpool.

The choice got here after the union rejected a pay offer from the Rail Supply Group (RDG), which represents practice operators, together with a 5% pay rise backdated to January final yr and a 4% hike for 2023.

The RMT referred to as it “dreadful” and mentioned adjustments to working practices would make railways much less secure and lead to 1000’s of job losses.

Whereas negotiations to succeed in a brand new deal had been underway, final week the RMT claimed practice operators “torpedoed” talks by saying they’d solely implement the first-year cost of 5% if the union terminated its industrial mandate.

The RMT mentioned that may take away its “industrial leverage on the negotiating desk” and it had no alternative however to strike.

Prepare drivers from the Aslef union, who’re concerned in a separate dispute with the RDG, have additionally introduced strikes on Friday 12 Might, Wednesday 31 Might, and Saturday 3 June – the latter on the day of the soccer cup remaining and the Epsom Derby.

However the RDG have referred to as the motion “pointless” and accused the unions of “senselessly focusing on each the ultimate of Eurovision and the FA cup remaining”.