Transport Secretary Mark Harper has declared “the situation is changing” in rail unions when it comes to pay offers on the table.
Member of RMT turn down the latest offer from Network Rail yesterday by 64%.
The deal will include 5% and 4% pay increases over two years, but means thousands of job losses, a 50% cut in scheduled maintenance tasks and a 30% increase in out-of-town hours. festival.
However, Mr Harper said they received more support than previous proposals, calling on the union to “reconsider, stop striking and accept the offer of reasonable pay”.
Direct political: Widespread rail strikes begin across the country
Rail workers staged another walkout today on the first day of a series of strikes this month, including December 13, 14 and 16 and 17.
More strikes is also planned from 6pm on Christmas Eve to 5:59am on December 27.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch accused the government of “refusing to lift a finger to stop these strikes” and pledged his members would “continue to campaign for a fair deal for workers”. , satisfactory salary increases and good working conditions”.
But speaking to Sky News, Mr Harper said the government “must be fair to the taxpayer”, adding: “There is no bottomless money to pour into the rail industry.”
He asserted that the offer for workers was “very fair and reasonable”, and pointed to the fact that TSSA union bosses – representing station workers – had recommended it to members. their member.
“Even when RMT strongly recommends to their members not to accept the offer to refuse, to reject it outright, we still see nearly 40% of RMT members want to accept,” the traffic secretary said. know.
“So I think the wave is changing views on whether these offers are reasonable, and therefore I hope the union will reconsider, stop striking and accept the offer of pay. reasonable.”
Mr Harper denied accusations that he had added terms and conditions to the agreement, meaning members would have to accept no staff on the driverless trains – something RMT strongly opposes. opposite to.
“I don’t want these strikes to go on at all,” he added. “They’re not good for passengers. They’re not good for business.”
But Labour’s Andrew Gwynne told Sky News that “it is the responsibility of the transport minister to sit down and negotiate a deal”, accusing him of refusing to do so.
He added: “Ultimately, the public will worry about whether their Christmas arrangements will be messed up.
“The government really has to get to grips with this and that starts with sitting down, negotiating, meeting and coming up with some compromise that is acceptable to both sides.”
