Our Rail Our Future

Pay

We’re demanding a pay rise which meets the increased cost-of-living for our members and their families. Many rail staff have gone two years or more without a pay rise. Inflation is effectively cutting the pay of workers just as essential bills for food and energy are soaring. Rail workers are key workers and deserve a pay rise, not because we are greedy, but to continue to make ends meet.

Job Security

We need to have a railway that meets the needs of rail users and enables green transport to save our planet. This means retaining key skills and ensuring excellent customer service. Many TSSA members want to stay and contribute to the future of rail and not be forced out of their jobs. We want a no compulsory redundancy agreement to cover all rail staff until at least the end of 2022.

A no compulsory redundancy agreement was in place during the pandemic, bringing stability to the rail industry. TSSA called for it to be extended until at least the end of 2022, but this was rejected by industry leaders in 2021 causing us to pull out of the Rail Industry Recovery Group (RIRG).

We can manage change in the industry better with an agreement on job security. Major change is expected in rail, including reports of widespread ticket office closures which have not been denied by government and the rail industry. And we also know that Network Rail is looking to cut around 5000 jobs.

Terms and Conditions

We want a fair and just transition, where change is not simply dictated to our members, but they have a say and an opportunity to shape the future of rail. A quality rail service is impossible without being able to retain and attract the best talent. There must be no detrimental changes to the terms and conditions – including pensions, safety and wellbeing – of rail workers. Our members deserve this guarantee at a time of anticipated change in the rail industry No race to the bottom.

Unless these basic assurances are provided, TSSA will remain in dispute with Network Rail and all train operating companies.

TSSA members were balloted on a rolling programme, being asked to vote for both strike action and action short of strike.

TSSA members in Avanti West Coast were the first ones out, taking action on 27 July 2022. 

TSSA members in TSSA General Grades (Bands 5-8) and Controllers took strike action in Network Rail as well as Avanti West Coast, c2c, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, LNER, and Southeastern took strike action on 18 and 20 August 2022.

Strike action planned for September was cancelled following the death of the Queen.

TSSA members in Avanti West Coast, EastMidlands Railway, LNER, Network Rail (General Grades 5-8 and controllers), SouthEastern Railway, TransPennine Express, West Midlands Trains, CrossCountry, Northern and c2c took strike action and action short of strike intermittently throughout 1 - 8 October 2022.

TSSA members in Avanti West Coast, C2C, East Midlands Trains, GTR, Northern, Southwestern Railway, Southeastern Railway, Transpennine Express and West Midlands Trains were due to take strike action or action short of strike intermittently throughout 4 - 9 November 2022. This was cancelled to allow talks with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) to take place.

TSSA members in CrossCountry took 24 hours of strike action over 26 and 27 December, with members in Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains each taking 24 hours of strike action 28-29 December. 

Industrial action short of strike (for example, not covering contingency duties) was used extensively across all companies, either for specific dates or on a continuous basis.