Train workers approve deal to end strike action

Rail workers have accepted a pay deal that will bring an end to their involvement in almost 18-months of train strikes.

Members of the RMT union have agreed to an offer including a 5% pay increase backdated for 2022-23, as well as a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies until the end of 2024.

While a reduction in disruption can be expected as a result of the deal, train drivers who are represented by union Aslef are continuing to take industrial action in their dispute.

General secretary Mick Lynch said: “This campaign shows that sustained strike action and unity gets results and our members should be proud of the role they have played in securing this deal.”

Hospitality businesses have reported losing millions of pounds in revenue due to prolonged rail strikes. In September managing director of Dishoom, Brian Trollip, had said he was fearful the group could lose 3,500 bookings over Christmas if there were further stoppages during the festive period.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Hospitality businesses will be breathing a sigh of relief that the critical festive period will be protected from strikes from RMT members. Businesses, workers and the public now have a degree of certainty when it comes to their Christmas plans.

“We are not out of the woods yet, with strikes by ASLEF set to cause significant disruption next week. We estimate the planned rolling strikes and overtime ban will cost the sector at least half a billion in lost sales, bringing the total impact of the disruption to over £4b.

“I would urge ASLEF to follow the lead of the RMT and commit to holding no further strikes in December and the New Year. Any further strikes would decimate the essential Christmas trading period for businesses, prevent millions from working and interrupt families’ festive plans.

“It’s critical that all parties still involved in pay disputes continue to negotiate and reach a resolution as soon as possible to avoid further, damaging strikes.”

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