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. “Strike action is the only way open to us to get both the rail industry and the government to understand that this dispute will continue for as long as necessary until we reach a negotiated settlement.” 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 start of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. 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. 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. They could include members of drivers’ union Aslef and the Private Transport Salaried Association (TSSA), both of which have backed industrial action in recent days.
