Britain's RMT union has turned down an 8 per cent wage offer over two years that train operators had hoped would avert strike action in the run-up to Christmas.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the train operating companies, had offered a pay increase of 4 per cent this year and 4 per cent next year. The RMT had signalled last week that its 40,000 members would come out on strike in a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.
“We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria for securing a settlement on long-term job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions,” RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said.
British Transport Secretary Mark Harper said in a statement: “The situation is incredibly disappointing, and unfair to the public, passengers and the rail workforce who want a deal.”
Inflation in the UK is running at more than 11 per cent.
Britain will suffer an unprecedented number of strikes in the run-up to Christmas as discontent spreads about pay, which many workers claim is failing to keep pace with soaring inflation.
Cost of living crisis
As the UK battles with a cost of living crisis, thousands of workers have voted for strike action across several sectors of the economy.
Coffin makers at the Co-op's only coffin factory begin a week-long strike on Monday. Meanwhile, workers at the homeless charity, Shelter, have started an unprecedented two-week strike in a dispute over pay. The Unite union said a 3 per cent pay increase this year has left many of Shelter's own staff unable to pay their rent.
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Postal workers on the picket line at the Kilburn Delivery Office in north-west London. Members of the Communication Workers Union are holding a 48-hour strike in a long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions. PA -
Teachers on the picket line outside Oxgangs Primary School in Edinburgh, Scotland, during in a protest over pay. PA -
Postal workers protest outside the Kilburn Delivery Office in London. PA -
A child holds a placard as lecturers join the protest at the University of Birmingham. PA -
Placards stacked by postal workers at the Camden Town Delivery Office in north-west London. AP -
Lecturers hand out leaflets outside the University of Birmingham. PA -
Postal workers are also protesting in Birmingham. PA -
Lecturers join the picket line outside King's College London. PA -
Postal workers light a fire outside the Central Delivery Office and Mail Centre in Birmingham. PA
More than 30,000 firefighters and control room staff start voting on strike action on Monday. Members of the Fire Brigades Union are being consulted on a 5 per cent pay offer.
“Strike action will always be a last resort but we are running out of options,” FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said.
“Many firefighters and control staff are desperate. Some are struggling to afford to live. It is a dreadful and very serious state of affairs.
“We are doing everything we can to secure a decent offer. We have held talks with and written letters to many different parties, but no such pay offer has been forthcoming.”
