RMT members will stage an extra strike on Network Rail over Christmas, the union has announced.
Workers will walk out from 6pm on Christmas Eve until 6am on December 27 and next week’s strikes will go ahead, the union has announced. RMT members will vote on the latest offer from Network Rail with a recommendation to reject, the union added.
Strikes on 14 train companies will go ahead next week although talks will be held with the Rail Delivery Group on Tuesday.
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RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said it was unfortunate that the union had been "compelled to take this action due to the continuing intransigence of the employers". He said: "We remain available for talks in order to resolve these issues but we will not bow to pressure from the employers and the Government to the detriment of our members."
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) announced it was calling off strikes planned in NR for December and is putting an offer to its members. The TSSA had been due to strike on December 17 and take other forms of industrial action from December 13.
The union had announced that an offer from the Rail Delivery Group had been rejected, meaning industrial action at train operators would go ahead in the coming weeks. The TSSA said on Monday that after talks with NR over the weekend, it had received a "best and final offer" in writing from the company, which was considered at a meeting of its reps.
Union members will vote in the coming weeks on whether to accept the offer.
Luke Chester, TSSA organising director, said: "This offer is the best we can achieve through negotiation, and it was undoubtedly improved because of the ballot results and strike action taken by our members, who we applaud.
"Our members will now have their say on this offer and we are suspending strike action.
"Our union is pleased that this offer provides job security and certainty for Network Rail staff through to 2025 and we're proud to have achieved a pay offer which provides for the lowest paid in the company with significant underpinning to ensure that those hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis receive proportionately the most.
"This offer shows what can be achieved when employers and unions are able to negotiate in good faith. It is significantly better than the offer put by the Rail Delivery Group, which we have rejected.
"On every issue - job security, pay and conditions - the RDG offer falls short and is shackled by Government interference. They need to look at what can be achieved when negotiations are not hindered and come back to the table with an improved offer that allows us to resolve this dispute once and for all."
The ongoing rail row is just one of many disputes threatening to create a winter of chaos as unions seek pay rises in line with inflation for their members.
Merseyrail has said services may be affected on these new dates as signalling and maintenance staff may be on strike. They said they are currently working with Network Rail to understand what train service we can run on these strike days.
Once confirmed the details will be announced on all Merseyrail channels.
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