Rail strikes called off
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Your support makes all the difference.Strikes planned by thousands of rail workers, which would have caused travel chaos across the country over the next week, were called off today as last-ditch talks resolved a pay row.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union said it had reached a deal with Network Rail, averting a 24-hour walkout from noon on Friday and a 48-hour stoppage next week.
The announcement followed an agreement between Network Rail and the union's executive about the earlier implementation of a 35-hour working week for signallers.
Welcoming the news, Network Rail chief executive John Armitt said: "This is good news for passengers and freight customers, who are no longer facing the disruption of a strike.
"This is also good news for our people, who could soon have their new pay deal implemented.
"We hope RMT members will vote to accept this deal, which includes a generous rise in pay and benefits, and which would see the 35-hour working starting next month."
The RMT will recommend the pay deal, with the 35-hour working week now starting in August, to its members in a referendum which will close on July 28.
Under the proposed deal, workers will receive a pay rise of 3.2 per cent backdated to April, an increase of the rate of inflation plus 0.75 per cent from April 2007, a 35-hour week from next month, an increase in travel subsidies and improved London allowances.
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