UK national rail strike: Threat averted as Network Rail and unions reach pay deal
The threat of a strike that would have brought Britain's entire train network grinding to a standstill has been averted after a pay deal was reached.
Network Rail and the unions have agreed a two-year deal that includes a two per cent pay rise for staff this year and a pay rise in line with RPI inflation next year. It also includes an assurance that there will be no compulsory redundancies between now and the end of 2016.
Union members balloted for industrial action over pay which would have brought chaos to Britain's train's as the first nationwide rail strike in a generation.
Strikes have twice been called off as the two sides attempted to negotiate a deal.
Now members of the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions have voted to accept it, removing the threat of action which had been hanging over summer.
"This has clearly been a difficult period of uncertainty for our employees and for the people and businesses that depend on us. I am therefore pleased that we’ve come to an agreement, said Network Rail chief Mark Carne.
“What has been clear to me throughout these negotiations is the passion we all share for the railway. I'm confident we will all now move forward together, translating that passion into improvements that will drive up our performance and deliver a better service for our customers.”