Rail, Shipping and Transport (RMT) general secretary Mick Lynch said in a message to members on Tuesday: “It’s a real-terms pay cut for members over the next two years and will cut a third of all first-time maintenance line roles and half of all scheduled maintenance work’. According to Network Rail, the two-year deal includes: • More than 5% rise for all RMT members and more for those paid below £30,000 – sources close to employers told Sky News the Network Rail offer was worth up to 10% for the lowest paid • 4% rise in basic pay payable in the first year, backdated to January, with 2% in the second year and an additional 2% if modernization reform milestones are met• 75% off employee and family travel from January 2023• Around £650 for each employee as cash. bonus’• An extra lump sum of £250 for those paid below £24,000• Non-compulsory redundancies guarantee for two years Mr Lynch told members: “Network Rail has offered senior managers a massive pay rise in return for very modest flexibility compared to what you and your colleagues have been offered. “All companies involved in this dispute need to understand that key rail workers have lost thousands of pounds in earnings due to the pay freeze in recent years – and rightly so, you refuse to be shortchanged again. “The arrangements made with London Underground and recently Merseyrail are also far more than what you are offered here. “We will not hesitate to call further strike action and co-ordinate this with other unions if the industry continues to scare us with unacceptable offers.” Read more: More rail disruption as drivers at eight train companies walk out A Network Rail spokesman said: “Today we have put a new pay offer for our RMT colleagues on the table, which will be worth more than 5%, subject to savings being made through modernization reforms. “There is also money on the table for a fair and affordable deal for next year as well. “While money is extremely tight due to the railway’s financial problems following the pandemic, we can afford to make this offer if our people accept the change and agree to finance it.” Talks between the RMT and train operators continued on Tuesday night, while the RMT’s executive committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss the offer. Meanwhile, the Personal Transport Employed Union said it had received improved pay offers from Network Rail after a day of talks with the company. A pay offer of 3% for management grades and 4% for general grades has been made, with the possibility of more if productivity targets are met, TSSA said. General Secretary Manuel Cortes said: “These latest offers do not come close to what Network Rail members have come to expect. “After years of pay freezes, these latest proposals will only work on real pay cuts for everyone across Network Rail. “However, we note that after a decade of a commitment by NR bosses to non-compulsory redundancies, this is back on the table.” He added: “Our representatives will now consider these offers, which come with more than 50 series. The company expects our union to consider the dispute is over. It is not. “Network Rail’s top brass need to wake up. From their managers to support and frontline staff – rail staff across Network Rail have had enough.”
