Striking UK Rail Union TSSA Is Considering Revised Pay Offer

Alex Morales
·2 min read

(Bloomberg) -- A UK rail union that’s held strikes for months said it’s considering an improved offer from train companies, raising the prospect that walkouts may end in the near future.

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Some 14 train companies have offered a two-year deal to rail staff that includes a 5% pay increase or a £1,750 ($2,152) raise — whichever is greater — for the current fiscal year, followed by a 4% raise next year, according to a statement on Tuesday from the TSSA union.

Another major union, the RMT, is also considering a similar offer made to its members by the Rail Delivery Group, which negotiates on behalf of train companies.

However, strikes by train drivers will still go ahead on Wednesday and Friday this week. Drivers are mainly represented by the Aslef labor group, which remains in dispute with train companies and could also schedule further industrial action in the weeks ahead.

Job Security

“There has been progress on a number of fronts — on pay, job security and the future working conditions of many members,” TSSA Organizing Director Luke Chester said in the statement. “The offers also now cover all those involved in the dispute.”

A previous offer made to the union didn’t cover all its members.

The deal also rules out compulsory redundancies for parts of the service that are affected by changes in working practices, until the end of 2024, it said.

Read More: Strike-Hit Britain Is Starting to Look More Like France

The TSSA said its executive will now consider the proposal and decide whether to put it to members in a vote. The union will continue to ballot members over the potential for further strikes while it makes a decision.

--With assistance from Eamon Akil Farhat.

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