Is the end of crippling train strikes FINALLY in sight? Relief for commuters as RMT members at Network Rail and TSSA workers at Rail Safety and Standards Board vote to accept pay offers with hopes further walkouts are step closer to being cancelled

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The end of crippling train strikes could finally be in sight as members of the RMT union who work for Network Rail have voted to accept a pay offer in its long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. 

In a turnout of nearly 90 per cent, union members voted by 76 per cent to 24 per cent in favour, signalling an end to the bitter ongoing row and a major breakthrough after a wave of strikes in recent months.

The union said the deal includes an uplift on salaries of between 14.4 per cent for the lowest paid grades to 9.2 per cent for the highest paid, increased backpay, a no compulsory redundancy agreement until January 2025 and rail travel benefits.

The Government called the deal 'good news' after repeated walkouts which have caused travel misery for millions since last year. 

There was further good news later in the day after it was confirmed the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) union voted to accept a 6.5 per cent pay rise for workers at the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB). 

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has said plans for walkouts on March 30 and April 1 remain in place until a better deal is struck with train operating companies

RMT members on a picket line outside Euston station in London during a rail strike last week

It gave fresh hope for all sides in remaining disputes to reach agreements. 

But RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has said plans for walkouts on March 30 and April 1 remain in place until a better deal is struck with train operating companies.

He said: 'Strike action and the inspiring solidarity and determination of members has secured new money and a new offer which has been clearly accepted by our members and that dispute is now over. 

'Our dispute with the train operating companies remains firmly on and our members' recent highly effective strike action across the 14 train companies has shown their determination to secure a better deal.

'If the Government now allows the train companies to make the right offer, we can then put that to our members, but until then the strike action scheduled for March 30 and April 1 will take place.  The ball is in the Government's court.'

Mr Lynch said that when the union first declared the dispute with Network Rail a year ago in the spring of 2022, the RMT was told that Network Rail workers would only get a pay rise of 2% to 3%.

Meanwhile, the Government and Network Rail welcomed the ballot result today.

Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: 'I'm pleased that RMT members were able to vote on this offer and the overwhelming vote in favour is good news for our people, our passengers and our country. 

'I'm grateful for everyone who worked so hard at Network Rail and in the RMT to find a way through this dispute.

Commuters cram on to buses outside Euston station during an RMT and Aslef walkout over over pensions and job cuts last week

'My team and I will now focus all our efforts on rebuilding our railway so we can provide a better service for our passengers and freight customers.' 

Transport Secretary Mark Harper added: 'I am pleased Network Rail's RMT members have voted to accept a fair and reasonable 5 per cent plus 4 per cent pay offer, over two years, that the Government worked hard to facilitate.

'While this is good news, unfortunately RMT members who work for train operating companies are not being given the same chance to bring their dispute to an end. 

'That's because the RMT has refused to put the Rail Delivery Group's very similar offer to a vote, denying these members the pay rise they deserve.

'That's why I am once again urging the RMT to call off their upcoming strikes across train operating companies, put the Rail Delivery Group offer to a vote, and give all of their members a say.'

Adam Tyndall, programme director for transport at London business group BusinessLDN, said: 'The vote by RMT members to accept this offer is a step towards restoring confidence in Britain's public transport network and shows how the Government, unions and operators can work successfully to resolve disputes.

'The agreement offers a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for those businesses that have been hit hard by disruption, including in the hospitality and retail sectors. But there is still more to do to end the months of disruption for businesses across the capital.

'We hope this positive step encourages all sides in the remaining disputes to reach agreements so businesses and Londoners can plan for the longer term and give fresh energy to the economic recovery.'

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson added: 'The decision by RMT members at Network Rail to overwhelmingly accept the latest pay offer is great news, and shows the importance of allowing members a say in a democratic vote. 

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said he was pleased members of the RMT 'have voted to accept a fair and reasonable offer'

workers at the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) have agreed to accept a 6.5 per cent pay rise, their union has announced

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) union working for the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) have agreed to accept a 6.5 per cent pay rise, their union has announced

'Now, train operating staff will rightly be asking why their union continues to deny them the same opportunity as their Network Rail colleagues.

'We urge the RMT leadership to build on this positive momentum, come back to the negotiating table and agree a deal which will bring an end to this dispute and give Britain's railway and its staff a secure long-term future.'

Members of the TSSA at the Rail Safety and Standards Board, which works to improve health and safety performance across Britain's railways, also voted in favour of a 6.5 per cent pay offer today.

TSSA members at the RSSB work across a number of roles, including research and development, standards and risk and safety teams.

TSSA interim general secretary Peter Pendle said: 'This is a good deal for our brilliant members at the RSSB and much deserved.

'Well done to our reps and members for making it clear to the company that in the face of spiking inflation and the cost-of-living crisis there needed to be a significant uplift on pay for 2023.

'The work our members do at the RSSB is critical, in many aspects, to the railways. We fully expect the pay deal to be implemented shortly as part of the April pay round.'