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UK ministers blocked a potential deal to end this month’s rail strike by preventing the industry from offering unions high-paying deals and adding tough new conditions at the last minute.
Employers had planned to offer the RMT union a 10 percent pay rise over two years, but that was blocked by the government, which controls the industry’s finances, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Instead, the 14 train operating companies offered an 8 per cent two-year pay rise, linked to a series of tougher amendments to the deal which the RMT rejected within hours on Sunday evening.
In a separate dispute, infrastructure owner Network Rail offered a two-year rise of 9 per cent, which the RMT voted for but urged its members to reject.
The union plans strike action starting on Tuesday, and rail companies have warned passengers not to attempt travel on December 13, 14, 16 and 17 unless “absolutely necessary”.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said on Thursday that the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, the government last weekend suddenly asked unions to agree a wider move to “driver-only operations” across the network – where drivers instead of guards do all the work. Operates car doors.
RDG declined to comment. Network Rail boss Andrew Haynes said this week that he believed the government had made “enough concessions” to find a deal.
An industry insider described the intervention as “a clumsy misstep” that exacerbated the situation.
Lynch said the change was so unacceptable to the union that “they might as well have come in with a fish and hit me round the chops with it”.
“There is no possibility of resolution. Not at the moment,” he added.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper did not deny this week that the government had asked for additional conditions to be placed on the deal.
The government has long insisted that it sets parameters for industry negotiators, but does not directly intervene in negotiations. With the rail industry’s finances badly hit by the pandemic, he has called on unions to accept reforms and increase pay and end strikes.
The Department for Transport said the deal rejected by the RMT was an “improved” settlement and “a good offer for their membership which provides a significant lift in pay and guarantees around compulsory redundancies”.
He added: “We have been clear from the outset that improvements in working methods are an essential part of this deal in order to fund the pay offer and modernize the railway.
“The Prime Minister, Chancellor and Transport Secretary are in full agreement about the offer put on the table this week.”
The rail strike comes as the UK is hit by a wave of industrial action. Air travelers face the prospect of disruption as Border Force staff, who check passports, will strike for eight days over the Christmas period.
The government has earmarked around 600 troops to stand in for workers and has warned visitors to the UK to “think carefully” about their travel plans over the festive period.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman warned on Thursday that the military would be able to help “to some extent” with the Border Force walkout.
“I really want to urge people who have plans to travel. . . Thinking carefully about their plans,” she said. Travelers should expect delays, she said.
NHS staff, firefighters, teachers and Royal Mail staff are planning or considering strike action over the Christmas period amid growing public sector anger over low inflation pay offers.
Ministers are expected to formally request hundreds more military personnel for fire brigades and NHS staff this month, in an effort to cushion the impact of walkouts across the public sector.
Downing Street acknowledged on Thursday that the strike would be “disruptive” for military personnel called upon to “backfill some of these vital roles we need to move the country forward”. A total of over 1,000 troops may be called upon this holiday season.
Additional reporting by William Wallis
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