ScotRail strikes suspended after company puts forward improved pay offer

dailyrecord.co.uk:

ScotRail strikes have been suspended after the company put forward an increased pay offer.Union members, who have been embroiled in a bitter dispute with bosses, will now vote on whether to accept the improved terms tabled by the firm.The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union had threatened ScotRail with Christmas chaos, and told bosses at the state-owned firm to up their pay offer or face having to tell passengers trains were off every Friday and Saturday in December.The RMT has now called off its strikes and overtime ban until a result is determined from a poll to be carried out among members.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail's head of customer operations, has urged members to accept."We're pleased to have reached agreement with the RMT so that our staff will have a say on our very strong pay offer.

If accepted, this will deliver an average 7.5% basic pay increase, job security for at least six years, and increases allowances in commission payments," he said.The agreement to consult with members comes after a meeting between the rail firm and union on Wednesday and the RMT's national executive committee meeting on Thursday.ScotRail has upped its offer to workers for acceptance of technology, bringing it up from £500 to £750 which will be consolidated into basic pay on top of a 5% increase.The rail firm said it would mean an average increase of 7.5% for general grades, which includes roles such as conductors, ticket examiners, and station staff.Wages for lower paid staff would increase by more than 8.5%, the rail firm said.Other measures offered include an increase in the minimum wage to £10.50 an hour and putting the Sunday working allowance up by 10%.A Transport Scotland spokesman welcomed the decision to put the pay offer