Rail strikes: RMT plan train strike for day of Eurovision after rejecting Rail Delivery Group’s offer

RMT has announced strike action for the day of Eurovision after rejecting the Rail Delivery Group’s latest offer.
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The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers has announced planned strike action for the day of the Eurovision Song Contest after rejecting the latest offer from the Rail Delivery Group. The group has confirmed workers across 14 train operators will strike on May 13.

RMT confirmed the strike action in a statement on Twitter. In the thread of tweets, the RMT explained the strike action, followed discussions with the Rail Delivery Group. The union’s executive had been discussing a new offer from the Rail Delivery Group.

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The statement read: "Following further discussions between the union and RDG, the employer issued a clarification on the offer RMT has been considering.

"The RDG is now saying they would only implement the first-year payment of 5% if the union terminated its industrial mandate, meaning no further strike action could take place.

"Stage 2 discussions which are part of the offer made by the employer would then have to begin without the union having any industrial leverage at the negotiating table."

The union is currently re-balloting its members on the 14 train operating companies with a result expected May 4. If the union beats all the legal thresholds for turnout and achieves a "yes" vote, it will have a further 6-month strike mandate.

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RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "The RDG have reneged on their original proposals and torpedoed these negotiations. No doubt their decision is due to pressure exerted on them by the Tory government.

"Therefore, we have no alternative but to press ahead with more strike action and continue our campaign for a negotiated settlement on pay, conditions and job security. We are re-balloting our members and if we beat the draconian anti-trade union laws on turnout, we will have a renewed mandate for action.

"We will then put on a further programme of strike action to make the employers and the government who continue to hold the puppet strings, see sense in this dispute."

It follows news earlier today (April 27) that Aslef union which represents train drivers, would be striking on May 12. They announced a number of dates in May and June, which included May 12, 31 and June 3. This includes the day of the FA Cup and the Epsom Derby.

A number of services will be affected including Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, Great Western and GTR Great Northern.

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