RMT announces latest strike date

RMT members working for the 14 train companies in the national rail dispute will walkout on Friday June 2.

The union found the Rail Delivery Group’s previous offer and associated conditions unacceptable and despite contact between the parties since the strike on 13 May, no new proposals have been formulated for the RMT to consider.

The strike on June 2 will see 20,000 railway workers in catering, train managers and station staff all take action, affecting train services throughout the country.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The government is once again not allowing the Rail Delivery Group to make an improved offer that we can consider.

“Therefore, we have to pursue our industrial campaign to win a negotiated settlement on jobs, pay and conditions.

“Ministers cannot just wish this dispute away.

“They underestimate the strength of feeling our members who have just given us a new 6-month strike mandate, continue to support the campaign and the action and are determined to see this through until we get an acceptable resolution. 

“The government now needs to unlock the RDG and allow them to make an offer that can be put to a referendum of our members.”

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: “In recent discussions with the RMT we have continued to stand by the fair, industry level dispute resolution proposal agreed line by line with their negotiating team, which would have resolved this dispute and given our lowest paid staff a rise of up to 13 per cent.

“By calling more strike action the RMT leadership have chosen to prolong this dispute without ever giving their members a chance to have a say on their own offer. Instead, they will be subject to yet more lost pay through industrial action, customers will suffer more disruption, and the industry will continue to suffer huge damage at a time when the railway is taking more than its fair share from taxpayers to keep trains running post COVID.

“We remain open and willing to engage in national level-talks so that we can secure a pay rise for our people and the long-term future of an industry vital to Britain’s economy.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “It’s extremely disappointing that for the second time in a month, RMT has decided to call strikes on the same weekend as ASLEF strikes, going out of their way to make travelling by train to the FA Cup final, Epsom Derby and a number of music concerts more difficult for thousands of people.

“The Transport Secretary and the Rail Minister have facilitated talks and there continues to be a fair and reasonable offer on the table, yet the RMT’s executive committee’s actions will see their members lose money through strikes, rather than having the chance to vote on the offer and bring this dispute to an end.”

Photo credit: Rail Delivery Group

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