Daily Times

The RMT rail union on Thursday said its members have voted in favour of a pay deal to end more than a year of walkouts on the UK’s strike-plagued rail network. General Secretary Mick Lynch said members had spoken “in huge numbers”, and that the final deal justified the long-running industrial action. While the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT), which represents various types of rail workers, has accepted a deal, the Aslef union, which represents drivers, has yet to come to an agreement. A new series of rolling strikes across the country are scheduled to go ahead from this weekend. Transport Minister Mark Harper called the agreement “welcome news for passengers and a significant step towards resolving industrial disputes on the railway”. He also urged Aslef to “follow the RMT’s lead and give their members a say”. The RMT agreement includes a backdated 2022 pay rise for staff and job security guarantees. The union has been in dispute with 14 train operating companies over salary and working conditions such as overtime.