The
RMT


has
ended
its
long-running
dispute
with
train
operators,
after
its
members
voted
by
large
majorities
to
accept
the
latest
pay
offer.

It
is
reported
that
staff
at
operators
will
receive
a
backdated
increase
on
last
year’s
pay,
worth
4.75
per
cent,
with
a
4.5
per
cent
increase
for
this
year.
Pay
at
Network
Rail
will
rise
by
4.5
per
cent
this
year.

The
news
has
come
just
over
a
week
since
drivers
belonging
to
ASLEF
also
voted
to
accept
a
new
offer
which
had
been
made
during
talks
at
the
Department
for
Transport.

The
vote
among
RMT
members
at
train
operators
was
98.8
per
cent
in
favour,
on
a
turnout
of
80.7
per
cent.
At
Network
Rail,
88.7
per
cent
were
in
favour,
and
the
turnout
was
79.7
per
cent.

The
RMT
said:
‘This
outcome
reflects
the
collective
efforts
of
our
membership
in
defending
their
jobs,
working
conditions,
pay,
and
pensions
from
the
attacks
of
the
previous
Tory
government
and
their
private
contractors.
We
thank
our
members
for
their
efforts
during
this
long
but
successful
campaign.’

The
union
also
confirmed
its
commitment
to
public
ownership
of
the
railways.
The
Bill
making
nationalisation
of
the
passenger
operators
the
default
rather
than
the
last
resort
is
due
to
be
debated
in
the
House
of
Lords
on
7
October.

Transport
secretary
Louise
Haigh
said:
‘This
is
a
necessary
step
towards
fixing
our
railways
and
getting
the
country
moving.
It
will
ensure
a
more
reliable
service
by
helping
to
protect
passengers
from
national
strikes,
and
crucially,
it
clears
the
way
for
vital
reform
and
modernising
working
practices
to
ensure
a
better
performing
railway
for
everyone.’