North East Region NETWORK RAIL VOTE TO ACCEPT OFFER

After months of concerted industrial action, RMT's Network Rail members have voted to accept the improved offer put to them by their employer While nobody is pretending that this is an overwhelming victory, 76% of members voted in favour, clearly demonstrating that this offer meets their needs and as a democratic union, the members' decision is the one that counts

After being told last year that the best they could possibly hope for in an offer would be a pay rise of 2-3%, they have accepted a deal that amounts to an uplift on salaries of 14.4% for the lowest paid workers and 9.2% for the highest paid.

Crucially, this offer comes without the conditions attached that were set to destroy the safety standards maintained by Network Rail members across the length and breadth of the UK's railway.

Other key features of the offer included:

A total uplift on basic earnings between 15.2 percent for the lowest paid grades to 10.3 percent for the highest paid grades - representing an additional 1.1 percent over the duration of the deal.

Increased backpay.

Renewing of the no compulsory redundancy agreement until January 2025.

Discounted rail travel benefits.

This new offer only came about due to the strong industrial action maintained by Network Rail members, forcing the government and the employer to back down on their earlier commitment to 'Modernising Maintenance'. This clearly shows that solidarity is key, and by collective action we can stand unite to achieve our goals.

Because of the determination of our members, the dispute with Network Rail is now over.