Members of the RMT rail union working for Network Rail have voted to accept the latest offer from rail bosses. In a consultation, 76% voted to accept the offer. The RMT national executive has announced that this ends the dispute with Network Rail.
The determined strike action since June 2022 put the bosses under pressure and has forced them to increase their offer. Other workers will undoubtedly draw the lesson that strike action works.
Nonetheless, despite the increase in the pay offer, Socialist Party members had argued for rejection. See ‘Rail bosses under pressure so the RMT must fight on’ at socialistparty.org.uk
We argued that as the pay deal is over two years it is still well below inflation. Most importantly, Socialist Party members pointed out that, while the RMT does not accept the ‘Modernising Maintenance’ programme, which means big attacks on terms and conditions of work, and will continue to negotiate over it, according to general secretary Mick Lynch acceptance of the offer means that “no further strike action can be taken”.
The dispute with the Train Operating companies is still on, with strike action planned for 30 March and 1 April.
