UK train employees on strike accept a salary agreement

Union members working for the company that owns Britain's rail infrastructure have voted unanimously to accept a pay deal to end long-running strike action. The government called the deal "good news" after repeated walkouts caused travel misery for millions since last year. Staff including signal workers and maintenance staff will receive a 5.0 percent plus 4.0 percent increase over two years, the Department for Transport said. It also increased backpay, includes a no compulsory redundancy agreement until January 2025 and rail travel benefits. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said it was the equivalent of a 14.4-percent increase for the lowest-paid workers and 9.2 percent for the highest.

However, Transport Secretary Mark Harper urged the union to now put a "very similar" offer to its other members working for 14 train operating companies. Two more days of strike action by RMT members working for train operators are still due to take place next week.