Merseyrail: General Grades 2026 Pay talks – members referendum results

Members should have received my previous communication outlining the improved pay offer received by the company but if not, you can read it by clicking here

We have carried out a vote of members, and the referendum results are below:

TSSA referendum results

The pay referendum closed today at 09:00 on Monday 22^nd June and the results are as follows:

Percentage of general grade members who voted = 65 %

Percentage of those who voted who voted to accept the offer = 75 %

Percentage of those who voted who voted to reject the offer = 25 %

As a result, I have written to the company to accept the pay offer although as I understand that the RMT union have rejected the offer I have advised the company that TSSA need to be involved in any further negotiations on the matter.

I also took the liberty of sharing the comments that people left in the survey which mainly came from those who voted to reject the offer which were as follows:

“Because I believe everything should be sorted together, the proposal calls for separation of grades and a that's a slippery slope.”

“I feel like we need to have an increase on the Sunday payment. I think it’s unfair for my colleagues that drivers are paid time and a half, whilst other colleagues who work Sunday shifts are only paid time and a fifth. This, to me, is unacceptable and the company should abide by their values of being inclusive and fair across all grades.”

“Sundays, we are not second class workers. Same deal for all staff.”

“The lack of a enhanced Sunday deal for Control staff is unacceptable, and I don’t believe the company has these interests at heart in negotiations”

“This seems very similar to what we had been offered in January already. I don't believe that the Sunday meetings will lead to anything and it doesn't bring us near in line with some other grades which have been awarded a 4 day week/ extra leave day/ Sunday time 1/5 enhancement.”

“Drivers Sunday staffing complement has massively increased since 2025 pay deal and has come at a cost to the company so the same figure should be added to general grades budget for a higher overtime rate.”

“The mixed working groups sound like a con to get out of having to do a solid Sunday deal, also the "extra responsibilities" the company want each grade to undertake in order for us to be "rewarded" is a joke. It's a way the company can just divide the groups, offer some sort of deal, which won't be good enough then they can say they tired but we weren't will to play ball and then we won't get offered anything. If they really wanted to reach a Sunday deal they would've offered it as part of a pay deal with the condition of all roles needing slightly more responsibility.”

If members have any further questions comments or queries they can contact Alan Valentine on valetinea@tssa.org.uk or your company council rep Samantha Brick.