Train strikes: RMT Union confirms datestrike to go ahead after negotiations with Network Rail fail

A planned rail strike for the end of July has been confirmed to go ahead after last-minute negotiations fell through.

More than 40,000 staff members will once again stage the strike after the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and Network Rail failed to negotiate a deal.

Rail workers have been in a dispute with company Network Rail over pay, jobs and conditions, with RMT rejecting a “paltry” offer made by the transport company.

This includes Southeastern, TransPennine and Avanti West Coast, as well as a handful of other operators.

Members last walked out in late June, with most of the UK’s train services cancelled as a result.

When will the rail strike take place?

The RMT Union has confirmed that members will strike for 24 hours beginning on Wednesday 27 July and will involve the 13 train companies who were involved in the last industrial action.

The union then confirmed that Network Rail members will also strike on Thursday 18 August and Saturday 20 August.

The last strike took place on 21, 23 and 25 June, and saw four fifths of services across the country cancelled.

What has RMT said about the strike?

It was announced earlier this week that the RMT Union had rejected a “paltry” offer made by Network Rail.

This included a 4% pay rise backdated to January, rising by 2% in 2023. An offer of a further 2% rise was made on the condition that “modernisation milestones” were met.

However, RMT have said that no offer made has secured a pay rise or made guarrantees over job losses at the train operating companies (TOCs).

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Strike action will take place next Wednesday as planned and our members are more determined than ever to secure a decent pay rise, job security and good working conditions.

“Network Rail have not made any improvement on their previous pay offer and the train companies have not offered us anything new.

“In fact Network Rail have upped the ante, threatening to impose compulsory redundancies and unsafe 50% cuts to maintenance work if we did not withdraw our planned strike action.

“The train operating companies have put driver-only operations on the table along with ransacking our members’ terms and conditions.

“RMT will continue to negotiate in good faith but we will not be bullied or cajoled by anyone.

“The Government need to stop their interference in this dispute so the rail employers can come to a negotiated settlement with us.”