Breakthrough announced in long-running row over railway workers’ pay and jobs

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This is a welcome development and our members will now decide in an e-referendum whether they want to accept this new offer from the RDG.” Speaking on ITV1’s Peston, Mr Lynch said strikes will be called off for six months if his members accept the latest pay deal. “So we’ve got six months of downtime if you like, a pause, and what we’ve also got is the ability to negotiate on those issues rather than have them imposed.” We welcome the RMT putting this fair and reasonable offer to its members in a referendum, marking a positive step towards resolving this dispute Department for Transport He also told the programme that the RMT would put the new pay deal offer to members because it has no conditions on it but cannot recommend the offer as it is below the rate of inflation. “There will be a lot of back pay for our members because they haven’t had a pay rise for so long, and we’ve still got to deal with pay issues for this year, for the 2023 year, and for the next year which is coming up quickly over the horizon.” An RDG spokesperson said: “These discussions would be aimed at addressing the companies’ proposals on the changing needs and expectations of passengers as well as unlocking further increases for staff, in order to help to secure a sustainable, long-term future for the railway and all those who work on it.” A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We welcome the RMT putting this fair and reasonable offer to its members in a referendum, marking a positive step towards resolving this dispute. “The Rail Delivery Group’s offer guarantees no compulsory redundancies and a fair pay rise, while ensuring we can take forward much-needed reform to secure the future of our railways.