Network Rail workers set to strike in June
Monday 1st June 2015
RMT Union members will hold two strikes in June following the rejection of a new pay offer. A 24-hour strike will take place from 5pm on 4 June and a further 48-hour strike from 5pm on 9 June.
A planned strike over the recent Bank Holiday was suspended following Network Rail putting forward an improved pay offer of a 1% pay rise this year and a 1.4% pay rise next year, with no compulsory redundancies for the duration of the agreement. However, this offer was rejected following a meeting of RMT representatives, leading to the announcement of new strikes.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Millions of hardworking people will be disrupted by this unnecessary and unreasonable strike action. I condemn it wholeheartedly and urge the union to reconsider.
“Over the past four years Network Rail staff have enjoyed pay rises eight times higher than other public sector workers. By any measure RMT members already get a fair deal.
“It is very disappointing that RMT has now rejected a deal delivered through Acas talks that the union’s leadership agreed was a reasonable offer.
“The Government will do everything it can to help keep people and goods moving during the strike.”
Network Rail has said it will recommence its contingency planning with train operators, but warned that rail services would be ‘severely affected’ if the strikes go ahead.