Rail strikes over the festive period in Cumbria are still set to go ahead after the RMT rejected an initial pay deal.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) which represents rail companies had offered members a pay rise of eight per cent spread out over two years and a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies before April 2024.

The group also called for the closing or repurposing of ticket offices, making staff ‘multi-skilled’ and more drivers operating train doors – although it insists guards will still have a part to play.

The RDG called on the union to avoid "upsetting the travel plans of millions and cause real hardship for businesses which depend on Christmas custom".

Currently there are nine days of rail strikes organised in the run up to Christmas day, with other rail unions including ASLEF and the TSSA also holding strike action.

Strike dates include Saturdays before Christmas which are traditionally some of the biggest shopping days of the year as people do some last-minute Christmas shopping.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has said that the RDG’s offer would ‘not be acceptable’ to union members.

“We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria for securing a settlement on long-term job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions," he said.

Negotiations with the RDG are separate to the negotiations with Network Rail which covers signal operators and maintenance staff which make up about half the workers in the national dispute.

The RMT is set to consider their pay offer of a nine per cent pay rise spread over two years in the coming week which Network Rail said was its "best and final" offer.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said that the situation was “incredibly disappointing” but that the government would continue to act as a mediator between the rail companies and the RMT.

Strike action is also set to go ahead in a number of different industries and sectors before Christmas including in the NHS, driving instructors and highway workers.

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