RMT members working for the 14 Department for Transport-controlled train operating companies (TOCs) in England have voted to accept the Rail Delivery Group’s 5% pay offer covering its 2022 pay claim.
The overwhelming result, with 90% of members voting to accept the backdated pay deal on a 79% turnout, appears to vindicate the RDG, which had been calling for some months for the RMT to put its offer to a vote.
The RMT changed its mind after a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed between the RMT and RDG (RAIL 997).
It comes after RMT members have staged 28 days of strikes in the 18-month dispute.
“Our members have spoken in huge numbers to accept this unconditional pay offer and no compulsory redundancies until the end of 2024,” said RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch. “I want to congratulate them on their steadfastness in this long industrial campaign.
“We will be negotiating further with the train operators over reforms they want to see. And we will never shy away from vigorously defending our members terms and conditions, now or in the future.
“This campaign shows that sustained strike action and unity gets results, and our members should be proud of the role they have played in securing this deal.”
Before the vote, Lynch said:
“It doesn’t deal with the pay deal for 2023 and 2024 - we still need to negotiate that. But what it does is take the heat out of the dispute.”
