Rail operators have seen a pay offer aimed at preventing disruption over the Christmas period rejected by unions.
An 8% pay rise was dismissed by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers on Sunday, which said the offer would ultimately mean its members faced vast changes to working practices.
"If this plan was implemented, it would not only mean the loss of thousands of jobs but the use of unsafe practices such as driver only operated trains and would leave our railways chronically understaffed,” outlined the union’s general secretary, Mick Lynch.
Following a mandate by the Department for Transport on operators, the offer breaks months of deadlocks that has seen little progress made towards a resolution of the pay dispute.
Citing challenging economic circumstances, National Rail’s Rail Delivery Group suggested its offer was “fair and affordable,” with reforms being fast tracked if RMT was to accept.
Downing Street also joined calls for RMT to accept the offer, with a spokesperson suggesting it was “right” and the union should allow members to vote in order to prevent further disruption to commuters.
National Rail has lost an estimated £300mln worth of revenue from 11 days of industrial action since June, with strikes on 13-14 and 16-17 December now looking increasingly likely to go ahead.