LONDON (Reuters) -Britain’s RMT trade union and the industry body representing train operators said on Wednesday they had agreed a way forward in a long-running dispute which, if accepted by rail workers, could see a pause to disruptive strike action.
Passengers in Britain have faced severe disruption to their travel for almost 18 months as transport workers seek better pay due to a cost-of-living crisis, and oppose reform plans operators say are needed because the COVID-19 pandemic led to reduced rail travel.
The offer includes a backdated 2022 pay rise for staff and job security guarantees, the RMT and the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents Britain’s train operators, said.
“Following further negotiations between RDG and RMT, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the current dispute has been developed which sets out a process for a mutually agreed way forward,” an RDG spokesperson said.
“If accepted, this MOU will terminate the national dispute mandate, creating a pause and respite from industrial action over the Christmas period and into Spring next year, while allowing for these important negotiations on proposed reforms to take place.”
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said the MOU was a “welcome development”.
A referendum by RMT members working across 14 train operators on whether to accept the agreement, closes on Nov.
30.
A spokesperson for the government’s Department for Transport said the decision to put the agreement to a vote was “a positive step towards resolving this dispute”.
“We hope RMT members will recognise the benefits, accept this offer and put an end to the RMT’s industrial action,” the spokesperson said.
(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)
