'New offer’ to end rail strikes due today as firms and unions hold crunch talks
Rail firms will meet unions on Thursday in a new push to end eight months of strikes.
The RMT and TSSA will hold talks with the Rail Delivery Group, representing train firms, after union leaders had a fractious clash with MPs today.
Mick Whelan of drivers’ union Aslef told the Commons Transport Committee a deal was “further away than when we started” and said his hopes were “zero”.
But the Transport Secretary Mark Harper fuelled hopes of a breakthrough within “days” on Wednesday evening as he confirmed a “renewed offer” will be on the table tomorrow.
A government source told the Mirror the Rail Delivery Group have been given a new negotiating mandate by the government.
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Unions have not been shown the proposed deal and could reject it. But Mr Harper told ITV’s Peston: “I'm hopeful that now there is a renewed offer on the table, that that can happen.
“There are conversations going on between various of the unions and the companies. I'm hopeful we'll make some progress in the coming days."
RMT and TSSA sources earlier told the Mirror they were more hopeful rail firms would bring a new offer to the table tomorrow.
The Mirror understands the Tory rail minister told the RMT this week that he was hoping to hand firms a new mandate to negotiate.
One union source said: “They are given their hand by the government. It would be a spectacular waste of everybody’s time if they don’t have something.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch arriving at Parliament for the Transport Committee today (Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)However, another union source feared any offer may be “modest” and not enough to break the deadlock.
Ministers are reportedly preparing to let train firms offer a 10% pay rise over two years - up from 8% - and “water down” demands for driver-only operated trains.
But RMT chief Mick Lynch told the Commons Transport Committee: “We will not sign up to accepting driver-only operation.
“It will never happen when I’m the general secretary, it will never happen as long as the RMT exists.”
Network Rail chief negotiator Tim Shoveller told MPs progress with the RMT was seven out of 10 and there was “every chance” the dispute would be resolved.
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He said only 2,000 RMT members need to be persuaded to change their minds for a deal to pass.
One union source feared any offer may be “modest” and not enough to break the deadlock (Getty Images)Steve Montgomery, of the Rail Delivery Group, added talks were “further behind” with Aslef than with the other unions.
He admitted rail firms had to “seek permission” from the government before making new offers to railway staff.
Union chiefs had a string of clashes with Tory MPs on the Commons Transport Committee today.
They laughed when one Tory MP, Chris Loder, asked what “direction” they receive from the Labour Party.
Mr Lynch told MPs the railway was “absolutely useless” on non-strike days anyway and blamed the government for driving passengers away.
Asked by Tory MP Greg Smith if he accepted strikes were driving people away from the railways he replied: “No, you are. Your government.”
ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan, TSSA Interim General Secretary Frank Ward and RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch at the committee today (PA)And he told Tory MP Jack Brereton the government had tried to make union chiefs “public enemies number one.
“We’re not. I’m a more popular person than many of the politicians in this room, unfortunately for the public.”
Mr Lynch warned today: "We haven't got an agreement. Until we get an agreement we're not close to it."
Blasting ministers’ “provocations”, he said they wanted “Stalinist” control over talks and to “attack the workforce”.
The Department for Transport insisted pay offers so far were “fair and reasonable”.
They added: "Far from holding up negotiations, this Government is determined to help unions and employers achieve a deal and avoid further strikes, while delivering the much-needed reforms which will put our railway on a sustainable financial footing for the future.”
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