In what seems like a never ending cycle, members of two unions have called fresh strikes over pay and conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aslef, the train driver’s union, and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) have decided to strike again after rejecting the latest offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why are they striking?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The unions say pay has not kept up with inflation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aslef has rejected a “risible” 4% pay rise<\/a> from the 16 companies they are disputing with, claiming their drivers have not had an increase in salary since 2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n RMT have also formally rejected the proposal of a first-year payment of 5%. which was contingent on no further strike action taking place, and named 24 more hours of strike action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The union is re-balloting members and expects a result on the 4th May. A \u201cyes\u201d vote will mean a further six-month mandate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: \u201cThe RDG have reneged on their original proposals and torpedoed these negotiations.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n These strikes are set to disrupt significant events such as the FA Cup Final and the Eurovision Final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is the official response?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve Montgomery, chair of the RDG said in a statemen<\/a>t: \u201cWe are blindsided by the RMT executive\u2019s announcement – nothing has changed in the offer agreed two weeks ago”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He accused the RMT of “negotiating in bad faith” and “needlessly disrupting the lives of millions of our passengers”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n