More railway strikes next month amid claims bosses 'reneged' on new pay deal
18.10.2022 - 23:19
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The rail workers' union has announced three more strike days next month after it said Network Rail had performed a 'u-turn' on an improve pay deal.
It means rail travellers will be hit by strikes on November 3,5 and 7.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said the strikes have been announced after Network Rail 'attempted to impose drastic changes in working practices on their staff'.
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More than 40,000 members of the RMT at Network Rail and 15 train operating companies are now poised to walk out again in a row over jobs, pay and conditions.
Network Rail's chief negotiator hit back and claimed the RMT 'seem intent on more damaging strikes rather than giving their members a vote on our offer'. He insisted a 'fair and affordable and improved deal is on the table'.
Tonight (Tuesday) the union claimed 'intense negotiations' had resulted in 'an agreement where the company would commit to an improved offer on pay and working towards a negotiated settlement'.
In a statement published on its website, the RMT alleged there had been a 'dramatic U-turn', adding: "Network Rail bosses reneged on their promises of an improved pay offer and sought to impose job cuts, more unsocial hours and detrimental changes to rosters.
"In a crass attempt to cut the union out of national negotiations, Network Rail have written directly to staff undermining delicate talks and have tried to rehash a previous deal that RMT has categorically rejected."
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: "The dishonesty of Network Rail bosses has reached a new low in this national rail dispute.
"On the one hand they were telling our negotiators that they were prepared