RMT union votes to end rail strikes until at least spring

Rail workers have voted to accept a pay deal, ending their involvement in a long-running series of strikes.

Members of the RMT union agreed to an offer from 14 train companies, which included a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022-23 as well as job security guarantees.

It means that RMT members will no longer be involved in industrial action until at least the spring of next year.

However, train drivers represented by the union Aslef will still strike.

Aslef members are to take part in a "rolling programme" of walkouts between 2 and 8 December, with different train companies affected on each day.

The RMT's deal with train companies ends an 18-month row over pay, job security and conditions.

Strikes by both RMT and Aslef members have resulted in train services being cancelled and disrupted during the disputes so far.

"Our members have spoken in huge numbers to accept this offer and I want to congratulate them on their steadfastness in this long industrial campaign," said Mick Lynch, RMT union's general secretary.

However, while RMT members, including workers such as train guards and signalling staff, will not strike in the coming months, a pay rise for the current financial year is still to be agreed and is dependent on changes to working practices.

The deal pushes talks into 2024 and Mr Lynch warned the union would "never shy away from vigorously defending our members' terms and conditions, now or in the future".

The government and industry have argued the rail industry needs to be reformed and is financially unsustainable.

A separate RMT dispute with Network Rail, which manages the UK's rail infrastructure, was resolved in March this year after signallers and maintenance workers voted to accept an offer.