Network Rail managers accept new four per cent pay rise as Grant Shapps calls on RMT union barons to end ‘destructive’ strikes’ and agree new deal
- Transport Salaried Staffs Association said it voted to accept 4% pay increase
- Announcement was hailed by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps as ‘fantastic’
- It sparked questions as to why RMT union was not thinking about accepting
Network Rail managers have voted to accept a pay offer, their union has announced – but the RMT union is still in deadlock.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said its management grade members accepted the 4% increase in a ballot.
TSSA organising director Luke Chester said: ‘While falling short of our aspirations on basic pay, this agreement has the significant benefit of addressing many of our members’ long-standing concerns, including staff travel facilities.
‘It’s very good news that our union was able to stand up collectively and win concessions across the board from the company which will really benefit our members.
The RMT Union’s General Secretary Mike Lynch arrives at the RMT Headquarters last month
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said its management grade members accepted the 4% increase in a ballot but the RMT Union is still not budging
‘However, it’s a shame that managers had to vote for industrial action before we could make progress.
‘We remain committed to further dialogue with Network Rail (NR) to build on these gains and deliver a fair deal for our members going forward.’
Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s lead negotiator, said: ‘We are pleased that the TSSA’s management grade colleagues have voted to accept the pay deal we offered, which includes a 4% increase on base pay from 1 July and heavily discounted leisure travel for employees and their immediate families.
RMT supporters protest outside offices of Network Rail as a nationwide strike called by the RMT Union was held today on July 27, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland
How Britons face another month of travel chaos
AUGUST 13
- Train drivers from Aslef union across nine operators go on strike, bringing much of the network to a grinding halt
AUGUST 18 AND 20
- Militant RMT union stages national walkouts of staff for Network Rail and 14 train operators, cutting off rural areas with around one in five services overall running
AUGUST 19
- RMT workers for London Underground walk out, causing mayhem for commuters and holidaymakers in the capital
‘We believe this is a deal that is both fair for our employees and affordable for passengers and taxpayers.’
The TSSA announced on Thursday that thousands of its NR members in general grades and controllers will strike on August 18 and 20, alongside members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union in a continuing row over pay, jobs and conditions.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘It’s fantastic news that TSSA’s management grade members have recognised the fairness of Network Rail’s pay offer and voted to accept it.
‘When unions work collaboratively and productively with industry like this, they can come to agreements which benefit both staff and passengers alike and deliver the essential modernisations our railways need.
‘This acceptance by these TSSA members will mean that we have a strong, reliable contingency staff for any future strikes.
‘It means we will be able to run services for passengers and minimise disruption to lives of everyday people.
‘Unions working with industry instead of against is the only way forward out of this dispute and a necessary step to end these destructive strikes and to put our railways on a secure footing for the future.’
A source added: ‘This is the same offer the RMT wouldn’t accept for their members.’
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