Talks continue with RDG as government prevents offer

Talks between rail union TSSA and the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) will continue next week after it emerged the Secretary of State for Transport has not allowed an offer to be made to all rail workers in the dispute.

A meeting between TSSA and employers group the RDG ended without a formal offer being made on Thursday after the negotiating terms became clear. Control and management staff remain outside the scope of the potential offer.

Luke Chester, TSSA Organising Director, said: “Once again it is the government placing restrictions on talks which means we cannot resolve this long running dispute.

“We haven’t received a final offer from the rail companies for all our members.

“We want to resolve the dispute for everybody concerned. But it was clear today that the employers are not in a position to make an offer for everybody. This has to change.

“What was put to us today was a long way from what we need to resolve this dispute. While entire groups of staff were left out, some of the proposals which were made effectively mean major pay cuts at a time there’s a cost-of-living crisis.

“These talks are effectively dictated by the Department for Transport, so once again we appeal to ministers to give employers the ability to negotiate in a way which can resolve this dispute. If not, more strike action will be on the cards.”

TSSA is re-balloting members in 13 train operating companies for strike action, with dates to be confirmed next week.