The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) has called off planned strikes at Network Rail (NR) over Christmas after reaching a pay deal with the company. The union had been due to strike on December 17 and take other industrial action from December 13, but has now suspended action and will put the offer to its members for a vote.
The deal includes a minimum pay uplift of a consolidated £1,750 or a 5% increase (whichever is greater) to annual base rates from January 2022, plus £250 for employees earning £24,000 or less. NR also offered no compulsory redundancies for general grades and controllers until January 31, 2025, a 75% discount on leisure travel for staff and families, and no unagreed changes to terms and conditions.
TSSA organising director Luke Chester said the offer was the best achievable through negotiation, improved by members' ballot results and strike action. He added that the deal provides job security and certainty for Network Rail staff through to 2025, with significant support for the lowest paid.
However, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has not reached a similar agreement. RMT members are set to stage two 48-hour strikes next week and an additional walkout from 6pm on December 24 to 6am on December 27, affecting 14 train companies. Talks between the RMT and the Rail Delivery Group are scheduled for Tuesday.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the union was compelled to act due to the continuing intransigence of employers, but remains available for talks. Network Rail's chief negotiator Tim Shoveller criticised the RMT's decision, accusing the union of using the British public and workers as pawns in a fight with the government.
