Network Rail workers are to stage two strikes next month after a fresh pay offer was rejected by union members.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced a 24-hour walkout from 5pm on 4 June and for 48-hours from the same time on 9 June.
Striking workers, which will include signallers and maintenance staff, have also been requested not to work any overtime from 6 to 12 June. Network Rail said the threat of a national rail strike was “unacceptable” and warned rail services will be severely affected.
A planned bank holiday strike was cancelled after the improved pay offer from Network Rail. But union representatives have since decided the deal was not good enough.
RMT said the latest pay proposals fell “well short of what is required to maintain the living standards and the working conditions for nearly 16,000 staff across Network Rail operations and maintenance”.
Union members employed by Network Rail voted in a ballot by 80% for strike action on a 60% turnout, RMT said. Read more:
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/28/network-rail-workers-to-stage-two-strikes-pay-offer-rejected-rmt-union