Rail strikes mayhem on way as 11th-hour pay offer is rejected

RAIL union barons snubbed the latest pay offer last night – with a Christmas of travel chaos now almost certain.

Talks broke down after train operators made an 11th-hour bid, offering an 8 per cent pay rise over this year and next (4 per cent each year).

It is around the same in percentage terms as the 4.5 per cent awarded to most nurses for 2022-23.

But Mick Lynch, boss of the militant RMT union, said it will reject the offer because it is conditional on reforms such as the closure of ticket offices.

He said: ‘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. If this plan was implemented, it would not only mean the loss of thousands of jobs but the use of unsafe practices such as driver- only operated [trains] and would leave our railways chronically understaffed.’

However, the union will take more time to consider a new offer from Network Rail, which is also involved in the dispute. The Government- owned agency last night tabled a 9 per cent salary increase for this year and next, up from 8 per cent, plus a 75 per cent discount on season tickets and bonuses for lower-paid workers.

If this offer is accepted, it would drastically reduce winter disruption as Network Rail employs critical workers such as signallers. The RMT is due to make a decision today.

The deadline for avoiding chaos when the first round of strikes begins next Tuesday is midnight tonight, as staff such as drivers are rostered a week ahead. The bid already rejected by RMT is the first made by train operators since national strikes began in June; Network Rail made its first offer months ago.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the RMT’s rejection was ‘incredibly disappointing’, adding: ‘Passengers should receive the service they’ve paid for. This deal will help get trains running on time.’ It came as ministers confirmed they are ready to draft in up to 600 members of the Armed Forces to deal with wider winter strikes. Nadhim Zahawi, the Tory chairman, said the Government was considering using the military to drive ambulances, fight fires and staff borders. An extra 700 staff from the specialist Surge and Rapid Response Team, as well as 700 civil servants, are being trained for this.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Zahawi sparked a backlash by urging public sector workers not to strike as that’s ‘exactly what [Russian president Vladimir] Putin wants to see’ after ‘weaponising’ energy supplies. He added: ‘This is a time to come together and to send a very clear message to Mr Putin that we’re not going to be divided in this way.’

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesman Christine Jardine called the remarks ‘ludicrous and insulting’, and Pat Cullen, of the Royal College of Nursing, which will also strike, said: ‘Using Russia’s war in Ukraine as a justification for a real-terms pay cut for nurses in the UK is a new low for this Government.’

Rail workers, ambulance staff, firefighters, teachers, security guards, cleaners, porters and driving examiners are also planning action that will affect every day until Christmas. The unions are fighting for sharp pay rises for members to reflect inflation, which is running at 11 per cent.

But government officials say this is unaffordable, and would cost the taxpayer more than £28billion.

The RMT threw the Christmas plans of millions into chaos this month by calling four 48-hour strikes between December 13 and January 7 for workers on mainline rail services in England. There will also be an overtime ban between December 18 and January 2, which could lead to hundreds of last-minute cancellations.

The TSSA rail union yesterday said its members for Network Rail and eight train operators will join the RMT in walkouts. RMT bosses had been locked in talks with government officials, Network Rail and 14 train companies represented by the Rail Delivery Group over the weekend.

‘Passengers should get what they pay for’