A rail strike which would have seen walkouts this week and next has been suspended after Network Rail improved its pay offer.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said its members had been offered a 2% pay rise for 2015 backdated to January, and a rise equal to RPI for 2016, and no compulsory redundancies until 2017.
This is improved from last week’s offer 1% this year and 1.4% in 2016, and the previous offer of £500 this year and inflation in 2016.
General secretary Mick Cash said: “The matter has been considered by the General Grades Committee and they believe that the improvements are enough to suspend the forthcoming industrial action.
“The General Grades Committee, as they have done throughout this dispute, are going to seek the views of your representatives before making a decision on the next steps to take. This meeting will be held this Friday, 5 June.
“For your information I would add that we have agreed a 28 day extension to the ballot mandate which means our ballot remains live until 6 July should it be necessary to put action back on.”
