Offers accepted, but we must renew our fights

Pay settlements have now been accepted by RMT members on Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies (TOCs), both by large majorities.

Off The Rails believe those settlements fall short of what we could have won, with a renewed push to mobilise sustained action. However, we understand why so many workmates, many of whom feel fatigued by the strikes throughout 2022-3, wanted to take what was the on the table.

Further reading

The RMT message to members announcing the acceptance of the deal says: "This ends a period of national dispute, which started in March 2020 with what amounts to an industry-wide settlement." This isn't entirely accurate; there has not been a single, continuous dispute stretching back nearly five years. But, as we have said, many workmates undoubtedly feel worn out by the determined campaign of strikes throughout 2022-3, which often felt like it wasn't budging the employers very much at all. In the absence of any alternative strategy being offered by the union leadership, it's hardly surprising that most members want to settle this year's pay round without taking further action.

But we have to be honest with ourselves and each other. These are not good deals. They are below inflation (i.e., pay cuts), and do nothing to address the years of lost pay we've suffered throughout all the prior years of below inflation rises, or no increases at all.

Throughout 2022-3, Off The Rails and others argued consistently that the RMT leadership's "marathon, not a sprint" strategy of sporadic 24-hour strikes would not win. It would have the effect of grinding down members' morale and confidence, whilst not actually budging the bosses. We argued that more sustained action, financed by strike pay wherever possible, could force real concessions, thereby shortening the dispute.

It is now up to the reps and activists who want to see us win substantial improvements to our pay and conditions to rebuild confidence in the idea that striking can win, and enthuse and empower members to renew our fight in 2025. The Sky News article reporting the settlements is headlined "no more rail strikes". We have to prove that headline wrong; we still deserve above-inflation pay rises, and it will take strikes to win them.

RMT's message says that negotiations over next year's pay on Network Rail will begin at a Business Council meeting on 22 October. The union must make clear that we will not settle for anything less than an above-inflation increase for all members, with a flat-rate minimum for the lowest paid. If Network Rail bosses don't deliver that, we must build for action.

Let's not give Network Rail or TOCs bosses, or the new Labour government, a sustained period of industrial peace.