The TSSA has confirmed union members have accepted the deal, which should ensure the skeleton service continues to operate during planned strikes in August. The decision was announced a day after 2,500 other TSSA members at Network Rail confirmed they will take action alongside 40,000 members of the Rail, Shipping and Transport (RMT) Union, including signalmen and train operating staff, on Thursday 18 and Saturday August 20. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said it was “fantastic news”, adding: “This acceptance by these TSSA members will mean we have a strong, reliable emergency staff for any future strikes and will be able to run services for passengers and to minimize disruption to the lives of everyday people. “Unions working with the industry rather than against it is the only way out of this dispute and a necessary step to end these devastating strikes and put our railways on a secure footing for the future.” Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST TSSA union director Luke Chester said the deal “fell short of our basic pay ambitions” but addressed long-standing concerns and won concessions. The deal includes discounted travel for staff and their families. He added: “It is a shame that managers had to vote for industrial action before we could make progress. We remain committed to further dialogue with Network Rail to build on these gains and deliver a fair deal for our members.” Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s chief negotiator, said: “We are pleased that TSSA colleagues have voted to accept the pay deal we have offered, which includes a 4% increase in basic pay from 1 July and a large discount on leisure travel for workers and their immediate families. “We believe this is a deal that is both fair for our employees and affordable for passengers and taxpayers.” TSSA members in general grades and controllers will go on strike, with electrical control room workers in the Unite union also joining wider RMT action next month. A similar service to previous strikes this year is now expected, with around 20% of trains running between 7am. and 7 p.m. Three days of transport disruption will include a 24-hour RMT strike on the London Underground network on Friday 19 August. The train drivers of the Aslef union will strike again on Saturday 13 August.
