Rail workers at 14 train operators in the UK are to strike on the day of the Eurovision Song Contest final after union leaders rejected the latest offer aimed at resolving a long-running pay dispute.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out on May 13th after the union’s executive turned down a “clarification” on an offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).
The RMT said the offer included a first-year payment of 5 per cent but only if the union terminated its industrial mandate, meaning no further strike action could take place.
🚨 BREAKING
RMT rejects proposals as employers torpedo negotiating process
Rail union, @RMTunion will launch strike action across 14 train operators on May 13th after rejecting the latest offer from the Rail Delivery Group.— RMT (@RMTunion) April 27, 2023
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The union said discussions would then have to begin without it having any industrial leverage at the negotiating table.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The RDG have reneged on their original proposals and torpedoed these negotiations.
“No doubt their decision is due to pressure exerted on them by the Tory government.
“Therefore, we have no alternative but to press ahead with more strike action and continue our campaign for a negotiated settlement on pay, conditions and job security.
“We are re-balloting our members and if we beat the draconian anti-trade union laws on turnout, we will have a renewed mandate for action.
“We will then put on a further programme of strike action to make the employers and the government, who continue to hold the puppet strings, see sense in this dispute.”
The news follows an earlier announcement by the drivers union Aslef of strikes on May 12th and 31st, as well as on June 3rd, the day of the FA Cup Final.
The RMT is currently re-balloting its members on 14 train operating companies on whether to continue taking industrial action, with a result expected on May 4th.
The union said if it beats all the legal thresholds for turnout and achieves a “yes” vote, it will have a further six-month strike mandate.
