The Rail Delivery Group has confirmed it has sent its ‘best and final offer’ to the RMT union, which should see a five and four percent increase for staff covering the 2022 and 2023 pay awards.

The offer has been made through an outline framework agreement and would allow the rail industry to adapt to changes in the way passengers now use the railway, whilst rewarding its staff.

The outline agreement sets out a minimum pay increase of nine percent over two years. Staff who are paid below a certain amount will receive a guaranteed £1750 in year one.

Pay would be backdated to the relevant 2022 pay awards to allow staff to benefit from a lump sum in the first available pay run.

The RDG also says that it has improved on its previous offer, with no compulsory redundancies until 31st December 2024 (previously this was 1st April 2024)

The proposals also include:

• The creation of a new multi-skilled station role, with staff trained to take on a number of responsibilities
• Creating ‘station groups’ which means staff are able to move between stations to help passengers
• Use of part-time contracts and flexible working patterns to encourage a more diverse workforce
• The formalisation of current voluntary working on Sundays, helping to reduce delays and disruption for passengers.

A voluntary redundancy scheme will be made available for those who want to leave the industry.

The Rail Delivery Group says that the offer does not include any proposals to change the mode of operation of trains, but acknowledges that individual operators can make separate proposals to update and revise on-board roles, for example using new on-board technology for station/driver dispatch processes.

Industrial action has cost the rail industry £480m in lost revenue since June, and the RDG says that staff have lost £2000 in pay whilst on strike.

Steve Montgomery, chair of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “This is a fair offer that gives RMT members a significant uplift over the next two years – weighted particularly for those on lower incomes who we know are most feeling the squeeze – while allowing the railway to innovate and adapt to new travel patterns. It also means we can offer our people more varied, rewarding careers.

“With taxpayers still funding up to an extra £175 million a month to make up the shortfall in revenue post-covid, we urge the RMT to put this offer to its members so we can bring an end to this damaging dispute for our people, our passengers and the long-term future of Britain’s railways.”

The RMT Union has responded to the proposal, with RMT general secretary Mick Lynch saying: “The National Executive Committee will be considering this matter and has made no decision on the proposals nor any of the elements within them.

“We will give an update on our next steps in due course.”