Train strikes CANCELLED after TSSA union members accept pay rise
TRAIN strikes have been CANCELLED after the TSSA union finally reached a pay deal with rail companies.
The TSSA had been locked in a two-year dispute with employers over salaries and working conditions.
But today the union's 3,200 members voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting the latest offer.
The deal will staff working for 14 operators receive a two-year pay rise of 9%.
Workers will also benefit from improved commitments on job security, including the need for a full consultation over any potential changes to terms and conditions.
A TSSA spokesperson said: "This is a clear decision from our members which will end our long-running dispute - something which could have happened months ago had it not been for Government intransigence.
"We will continue to hold the train companies and the Government to account as we go forward because Britain needs a fully functioning rail network at the heart of our green industrial future, and as a means of rebuilding our economy in the wake of the Covid pandemic."
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While the TSSA agreed to a deal, other unions remain locked in dispute.
RMT members are set to strike on March 18 and 30, as well as April 1.
And Network Rail members will walk out over March 16 and 17 March.
Meanwhile, teacher strikes are set to go ahead on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan invited unions to fresh wage negotiations - on the condition they halt strikes.
But the National Education Union (NEU) snubbed the olive branch and said it was "nothing substantial" to get them to back down.
The NEU has been demanding ministers increase last year's 5 per cent pay rise to meet double-digit inflation.
Ministers have not ruled out revisiting last year's offer in the negotiations, but want to focus on the upcoming pay review.
The Department of Education this week said a 3.5 per cent hike would be "affordable".
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “On Tuesday the Education Secretary wrote to trade union leaders offering to move into formal talks on pay and covering all the areas in dispute.
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“This offer, which still stands, builds on six weeks of discussions and was made on the clear and reasonable condition that the National Education Union pauses its damaging strike action next week, mirroring the approach agreed by the Government with the Royal College of Nursing.
“It’s extremely disappointing that the NEU’s leadership is not yet prepared to join these talks - and particularly as strikes have a significant impact on children’s education, especially following the disruption of the past two years."