London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 11, 2025

Rail strikes: Pay deal 'achievable' between train companies and unions, RMT boss Mick Lynch says

Rail strikes: Pay deal 'achievable' between train companies and unions, RMT boss Mick Lynch says

The RMT union is involved in two disputes - one with Network Rail, where it represents around 20,000 signallers and maintenance workers, and the other with the Rail Delivery Group, where it represents about 20,000 workers at 14 train companies.

A deal between train companies and rail unions is "achievable", Mick Lynch, the head of the RMT union, has said as the biggest day of transport strikes causes travel misery for commuters.

A meeting, convened by Huw Merriman, the rail minister, was held on Thursday to try and resolve the bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions but failed to break the deadlock.

But Mr Lynch suggested a way forwards can be found to avert further rail strikes.

"I'm always optimistic," he told Sky News.

"Resolutions to disputes are about compromises. We understand what the companies want and they understand what what we need.

"So we need some compromise on some of the conditions they're putting on the offer and we'll need an improvement in the pay offer.

"That is achievable, in my view."

Members of the RMT union have begun another 48-hour strike today, after the lack of progress after Thursday's meeting.

The union said "further discussions" had been agreed but "in the meantime, all industrial action remains in place".

RMT union is involved in two disputes - one with Network Rail, at which it represents around 20,000 signallers and maintenance workers, and the other with the Rail Delivery Group, at which it represents about 20,000 workers at 14 train companies.

Members of both groups will strike today and tomorrow, and then on 3, 4, 6 and 7 January, with RMT members at Network Rail also striking from 6.30pm on Christmas Eve until 6am on 27 December.

Mr Lynch said: "I know that there are some very simple steps that the employers and ourselves could take together to get a solution to this.

"That means a common-sense approach - both sides get into a position where there's some commonly held positions.

"And I think we could do that in the next period. And if that is done very quickly, we can consider the industrial action going forward."

He added: "If they can come towards us a little bit, we can maybe work up some solutions.

"People have got time now to make plans, and I hope that they're successful in that, and that we can progress these talks to maybe get some solutions in the next week or so."

Transport Salaried Staffs' Association members at Network Rail voted yesterday to accept a pay offer, but members at Avanti West Coast will continue with their strike today.

Passengers across the rail network have been warned not to travel.



Mr Lynch told Sky News that TSSA members who have accepted a pay offer from Network Rail are "not affected by the changes" proposed.

"They are supervisors and white collar workers. They don't do the work that our members do who are profoundly affected by the changes, including the safety regime, as will be the public," the RMT boss said.

"Whether they're in the dispute or not, it doesn't really affect the course of the dispute. For our members, the proposals are completely inadequate at this time."

Downing Street said there is a "fair and generous deal on the table" and urged all parties to "work together and end the disruption".

Rail, bus and highways workers are among hundreds of thousands of workers striking this winter as inflation and other cost-of-living pressures leave pay behind.

Also on strike today are more than 900 staff who work at the Rural Payments Agency, DVSA staff in Scotland and Northern Ireland and Eurostar security guards.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
×