Rail union, TSSA, has confirmed that it has received two formal offers by rail companies in the ongoing national rail dispute.
For the first time, the TSSA Union says the offer covers management and control staff, as well as stations and other jobs within the industry.
The Executive Committee will now consider the offers and consult representatives before deciding whether to put the offer to its members in a vote.
The offer includes improved pay deal over two years, commitments for no compulsory redundancies until the end of 2024, improved opportunities for redeployment, as well as full consultation over proposed reforms to ticket offices and any changes to terms and conditions.
This pay rise amounts to 5% or £1,750 in year one (whichever is greater) and a further 4% in year 2.
Meanwhile, the union says its balloting of members for further industrial action will continue.
The train companies involved in the scope of the new offer are – Avanti West Coast, C2C, Chiltern Railways, Cross Country, East Midlands Railway, Govia Thameslink Railway, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, Northern Trains Limited, South Eastern Railway, South Western Railway, Trans Pennine Express, West Midlands Trains.
Commenting, TSSA Organising Director, Luke Chester said: “The new offers from the train companies are a result of hard work by our negotiating teams and the strong commitment of members in this dispute.
“There has been progress on a number of fronts – on pay, job security and the future working conditions of many members. The offers also now cover all those involved in the dispute – which was a key point for the union.
“This has only happened through careful and detailed negotiations and shows the value of our collective action. We will now work with our Reps to fully consider whether the terms being offered are fair, and good enough to put to members in a vote.
“In the meantime we will continue with our plans to ballot for further industrial action as the dispute remains live.”
Has it not dawned on the various rail unions, that if the various strikes dragg on, more and more people will cease to use railways. My wife and I are retired and we have not renewed our rail cards since May 2022.In our retirement we looked forward to using the railway, extensively as leisure travellers, for many short breaks and holidays in this country. Now Mick Whelan, from ASLEF, says so far as his unions concerned, that the stikes could go on for three years.I cannot risk booking holiday accommodation, through out this year travelling by train, as it is too financially risky.My wife and I are now contemplating, whether or not, we will ever be comfortable using the train ever again, in our lifetimes, for discretionary travel.
Will the strikes go on throughout 2023. Adding more misery to people who are already been affected by so many strikes last year and earlier this year that has been blamed for causing lots of attention.