The
RMT
and
the
Rail
Delivery
Group


have
announced
what
appears
to
be
a
major
step
forward
in
resolving
the
long-running
industrial
dispute
over
pay
and
conditions.

New
offers
will
now
be
subject
to
ballots
of
RMT
members
at
the
train
operating
companies
still
involved
in
the
dispute,
which
are
most
of
those
in
England.

The
RMT
has
described
the
new
understanding
as
a
‘welcome
development’.

The
RDG
said:
‘Following
further
negotiations
between
RDG
and
RMT,
a
Memorandum
of
Understanding
on
the
current
dispute
has
been
developed
which
sets
out
a
process
for
a
mutually
agreed
way
forward,
including
a
backdated
2022
pay
rise
for
staff
and
job
security
guarantees.

’This
will
now
be
put
to
RMT
members
in
each
of
the
Train
Operating
Companies
in
a
referendum
vote.
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
at
local
train
operating
company
level,
through
the
established
collective
bargaining
structures.

‘These
discussions
would
be
aimed
at
addressing
the
companies’
proposals
on
the
changing
needs
and
expectations
of
passengers
as
well
as
unlocking
further
increases
for
staff,
in
order
to
help
to
secure
a
sustainable,
long-term
future
for
the
railway
and
all
those
who
work
on
it.’

The
RMT
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
at
local
train
operating
company
level
through
the
established
collective
bargaining
structures.

‘These
discussions
would
be
aimed
at
addressing
the
companies’
proposals
on
the
changing
needs
and
expectations
of
passengers
as
well
as
unlocking
further
increases
for
staff,
in
order
to
help
to
secure
a
sustainable,
long-term
future
for
the
railway
and
all
those
who
work
on
it.’

RMT
general
secretary
Mick
Lynch
added:
‘This
is
a
welcome
development
and
our
members
will
now
decide
in
an
e-referendum
whether
they
want
to
accept
this
new
offer
from
the
RDG.’

The
Department
for
Transport
responded:
‘We
welcome
the
RMT
putting
this
fair
and
reasonable
offer
to
its
members
in
a
referendum,
marking
a
positive
step
towards
resolving
this
dispute.

‘The
Rail
Delivery
Group’s
offer
guarantees
no
compulsory
redundancies
and
a
fair
pay
rise,
while
ensuring
we
can
take
forward
much-needed
reform
to
secure
the
future
of
our
railways.
We
hope
RMT
members
will
recognise
the
benefits,
accept
this
offer
and
put
an
end
to
the
RMT’s
industrial
action.’

However,
this
development
does
not
affect
the
separate
dispute
between
the
drivers’
union
ASLEF
and
most
train
operators
in
England,
which
continues.