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RMT and Aslef Unions in Stand-Off with Government Over Rail Dispute

Mick Lynch, the leader of the RMT union, has called on UK ministers to "stop play-acting" and come to a resolution to the long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions on the railway, in an upcoming meeting on Monday. On the first day that the railway has not been disrupted by industrial action in almost a month, Lynch and the general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, Mick Whelan, were due to meet with the rail minister, Huw Merriman, to try and break the deadlock.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) made an initial written offer to Aslef on Friday evening, claiming it to be worth 8% over two years but requiring Sunday working. This was met without response from the union, but it had previously asserted that its members would not accept a sweeping change in terms and conditions for a pay offer significantly below inflation.

The RMT union, which typically represents signallers and maintenance staff at Network Rail, and also train crew, had rejected offers worth around 9% over two years as well, which included notable changes to working conditions. The union has accused the government of getting in the way of negotiations by controlling the offers made to them by employers - something the government originally said was a matter to be resolved between Network Rail and the train firms.

"Today I want to see the government stop play-acting," Lynch declared, "because the truth, written in black and white in their rail contracts, is that they’ve been in complete control of this dispute from day one." He believes that the government could end the dispute immediately if it were to take out the conditions it put in place to hamper a resolution and allow the companies to make a deal.

The Department for Transport issued a response to this statement. "The most important thing for passengers, businesses and the future of our rail industry," a spokesperson said, "is for unions to put an end to these disruptive strikes." They also noted that the rail minister would approach the talks with the intention of facilitating "reasoned, constructive discussions aimed at finding a swift resolution."

Network Rail have calculated that the rail industry has lost at least £400 million in revenue due to the 21 days of strikes that have happened since last summer in Great Britain. The government has argued that due to shifts in the travel patterns of people, particularly those commuting in the south-east of the country, the rail system is costing taxpayers more and thus workplace reform is essential to counteract that.

Conclusions

The long-running dispute between the UK government and the RMT and Aslef unions over pay, jobs and conditions on the railway has caused disruption to the railway, lost revenues and is likely to continue unless a resolution is found. Both parties are due to meet on Monday to discuss the situation, with the government willing to facilitate talks and the unions calling for the government to take control of the situation and take out the conditions it placed on employers to hamper a resolution. Ultimately, the outcome of this dispute could have a big impact on the future of the UK's railway system.