The news comes after the union rejected a pay offer from Network Rail, which it described as “insignificant”, and after three rail strikes last month that crippled services across the country. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Network Rail’s offer represents a real pay cut for our members and the paltry sum depends on RMT members agreeing to drastic changes to their working lives. “We have made progress on compulsory redundancies but Network Rail is still seeking to make our members poorer when we have earned in some cases double what they are on offer with other rail operators. “Train operators remain stubborn and refuse to make any new offer on job security and pay.” Mr Lynch said Network Rail members would strike from 2am. on July 27 for 24 hours and train operating company members will take action from just after midnight until 11.59pm. of the same day. July 27 is the day before the Commonwealth Games start in Birmingham. Other unions must advise on possible concerted action The offer from Network Rail included a 4% pay rise from January, another 2% next year and a further 2% subject to “modernisation milestones”. Sky News understands more was offered for those paid under £30,000, with all members being offered discounted travel for themselves and their families, as well as bonuses. Read more: More rail turmoil as drivers at eight train companies walk out Network Rail makes new pay offer to workers after strikes, but RMT union calls it a ‘real terms pay cut’ Follow The Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker However, the RMT said it had yet to receive an offer or guarantees on job losses from the train operators, adding that it would consult with other unions that voted in favor of strike action, with the possibility of coordinated walkouts. Also on Wednesday, nearly 700 workers at rail companies GWR, Greater Anglia and TransPennine Express backed strike action over pay, conditions and job security, according to the TSSA. Drivers’ union Aslef has also voted in favor of industrial action in recent days. A Rail Delivery Group spokesman said: “This latest round of action will cause millions more misery and take money out of the industry at a time when passenger numbers remain 20% below pre-pandemic levels, making economic growth harder of salaries. “We want to give our people a pay rise, but to do that we’ve updated working practices that are in some cases decades old so we can adapt to new travel patterns that are more leisure-based. “Instead of holding more counterproductive strikes, we are asking the RMT to come back to the table so we can get a deal that works for our people, our passengers and for the taxpayer.” Writing on Twitter, Transport Minister Grant Shapps said: “Yesterday @RMTunion was offered a pay deal worth up to 8% over 2 years. “Today their leadership rejected it without even putting it to their members and instead called a new strike. “RMT bosses are not interested in finding a solution, they just want to cause misery for the traveling public.”
