Union campaign secures pay offer on Arriva Trains North which protects all grades and boosts lowest paid

Rail union RMT said today that, along with sister unions, it has secured a revised pay offer on Arriva Trains North which protects the standards of living of all grades of staff over a two year period and which gives a massive boost to the basic pay of those on the lowest rates.

Details of the offer are:

• From 3 April 2016: 2.2% increase.
• From 2 April 2017: 2.4% increase or January 2017 RPI increase (whichever is greater).
• Loyalty Scheme for all grades: £150 voucher for employees who reach 10 years, 20 years, and 25 years’ service, and every 5 years thereafter. This amount to be index-linked to January RPI each year from 2018. This scheme to replace any existing scheme.
• Specific pay increase, instead of the above offer, for colleagues working as Train Presentation Operative (TPO), as follows:
  - From 3 April 2016: £500 increase
  - From 2 April 2017: £500 increase

As a result of the new offer, RMT’s executive has agreed to halt the current strike vote and will be putting the deal out to a referendum ballot of the workforce with a recommendation to accept.

General Secretary Mick Cash said: “This revised offer represents a major breakthrough for the unions and has been secured through the hard work of our negotiators, backed up by the determination and solidarity of our members, who have made it quite clear that they were prepared to stand up and fight for a fair deal.

“The fact that the deal lifts the basic pay levels of those on the lowest grades is also a significant victory and is a model for the industry at a time when the drive is to hammer down on these key members of the rail team.

“The strike vote is lifted and we will be recommending a yes vote in a referendum ballot.”