Practice passengers face additional disruption this summer time after members of the RMT rail union voted overwhelmingly for additional strike motion.
A poll of members working throughout 14 practice working corporations “massively reaffirmed a mandate for additional strike motion”, the union stated on Thursday, with 90% of votes forged in favour of holding extra strikes over the following six months.
The union’s chief, Mick Lynch, described the outcome as a “de facto referendum” on the dispute with a median turnout of almost 70% in every firm.
“It’s clear from these outcomes that members will not be ready to simply accept a pay provide primarily based on mass job cuts and main assaults on their phrases and circumstances,” Lynch stated.
“This sends a transparent message to the employers that the large anger amongst rail staff may be very actual and they should recognise that truth, face actuality and make improved proposals. They should get across the desk with RMT and negotiate in good religion for a greater deal for rail staff.”
Unions concerned in disputes should reballot their members each six months to legally proceed with industrial motion.
The subsequent 24-hour strike is deliberate for Saturday 13 Might, the day of the Eurovision tune contest closing.
It follows the breakdown of talks final month. On the time, Lynch stated the Rail Supply Group (RDG) had been “pressured” by the federal government to renege on a 9% provide the union had been contemplating for a number of weeks, by making the primary yr’s pay deal contingent on withdrawing its mandate for strike motion.
“The RDG is now saying they might solely implement the first-year fee of 5% if the union terminated its industrial mandate – that means no additional strike motion might happen,” Lynch stated.
Earlier this week, the transport secretary, Mark Harper, criticised rail unions over the 13 Might strike.
Harper stated rail staff ought to work “in solidarity” with Ukrainian railway employees who’ve been killed, as an alternative of “cynically focusing on” Eurovision, which was gained by Ukraine final yr.
The practice drivers’ union Aslef can be planning to strike, on 12 Might. It lately rejected a pay provide of 4% a yr for 2 years, describing the proposal as risible on condition that inflation is at 10%.
Additional drivers’ strikes can be held on 31 Might and three June, the day of the FA Cup closing, when many followers can be travelling from north-west England to London to see two Manchester groups play at Wembley.