Rail unions considering 'updated' pay offer in hopes of ending bitter dispute

Train companies have issued a new pay offer to rail unions in the hope of ending a long-running and disruptive dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

Bosses of the biggest rail workers union are now considering the "updated" offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which follows weeks of talks in a bid to break the deadlock.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has held a series of strikes since last summer, which has been a cause of travel misery for millions of passengers across the country.

An RMT spokesperson said: “We have received an updated offer from the RDG and our NEC (national executive committee) is considering its contents.

“No decision on any next steps has been taken.”

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: “Following further constructive joint discussions with the RMT leadership, we have put forward a fair revised offer which makes important clarifications and reassurances, in particular around job terms and conditions for our employees.

“Our ambition remains to secure long-term, rewarding careers for our people, a better service for passengers and a railway that takes no more than its fair share from the taxpayer.

“Our hope is that the RMT executive will put this proposal to its full train operating company membership and allow them a say on the deal, so we can end this dispute and work together to deliver a strong future for Britain’s railway and all those who work on it.”

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