Network Rail workers vote to accept pay deal

RMT members working for Network Rail have voted, by a 76-24 majority, to accept a pay settlement based on a 3.8% increase.

RMT's National Executive Committee unanimously voted to recommend acceptance. It's unheard of in RMT for members to vote against an NEC recommendation. Nevertheless, the fact that nearly one in four members wanted to reject the offer suggests there is a section of the Network Rail membership that's up for a fight.

We called for a no vote in the recent referendum, arguing that the offer fell well short of RMT's demands.

Last year, the NEC made no formal recommendation on the pay offer. Whilst saying it "could not recommend the offer in its current form", it did not formally encourage members to vote to reject. The offer was ultimately accepted, but only very narrowly, suggesting that some boldness and leadership from the NEC could have mobilised a majority to reject the deal and fight for more.

This year, despite submitting an ambitious pay claim and launching a campaign with some fairly militant rhetoric, the NEC has yet again decided there's no further fight to be had.

We will never have perfect conditions to take the fight to the bosses. At some point we will just have to decide to have the courage of our convictions, and go for it.