RMT union CANCELS wave of Network Rail strikes in major boost for commuters
A SERIES of rail strikes have been cancelled after RMT union received a new pay offer.
Commuters have suffered months of disruptive train strikes as the trade union has been locked in a long-running pay dispute.
But the RMT union has announced it has now suspended all industrial action on Network Rail.
A spokesman for the union – which represents 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operators – said receiving a new pay offer had been received.
They added: “Further updates will be given on all aspects of the national rail dispute in the coming days.”
Members of the union were due to walk out on March 16 for 24 hours.
It was due to be followed by an overtime ban by Network Rail workers, which would have seen them refuse to work longer if required until March 23.
Members of the RMT have been taking part in walkouts for months in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.
In February, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the union will take “sustained and targeted industrial action over the next few months” as employers are “not being given a fresh mandate by the Government” to offer a new deal.
But RMT has now ditched strike action for Network Rail workers after getting a new pay offer.
Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: “We are relieved for our people, passengers and freight customers that industrial action in Network Rail has now been suspended.
“We look forward to further information on plans for a referendum.”
But commuters still face travel misery as tube drivers represented by the Aslef union are still set to strike for 24 hours on March 15.
Jeremy Hunt will also deliver his Budget to the House of Commons on the same day – while more than 100,000 civil servants walk out due to a pay and pensions row.