RMT members get set to vote on Network Rail pay offer which could stop months ... trends now
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Members of the RMT are today expected to vote in favour of the latest Network Rail pay offer – paving the way for months of crippling strikes to finally end.
The rail union launched a ballot on March 9 which will close at midday, with the results expected to be announced shortly after.
Last night senior rail sources were quietly confident a majority of workers have backed the 9 per cent offer.
A similar deal was rejected in December but 36 per cent still backed it despite the RMT advising members not to. The latest offer is better as it gives workers a larger up-front sum while the RMT is not advising them which way to vote.
A senior industry source said: 'We not counting our chickens, but the mood music is certainly more positive. That's principally because the union hasn't put out a communication to reject it.
Last night senior rail sources were quietly confident a majority of workers have backed the 9 per cent offer. Pictured: Mick Lynch
Mick Lynch joins union members on the picket line outside Euston station on Saturday March 18
'Everything we've heard is very positive. People are voting for it in bigger numbers than last time.
'The vast majority of members have already voted and we're expecting a majority will have voted in favour.' They added that more track maintenance workers appeared to be voting in favour this time.
Winning their approval is seen as key as many are understood to have rejected the last offer while a majority of signallers were thought to be in favour.
It comes amid growing optimism at resolving disputes in other sectors, with unions
