Now train guards say they want bumper pay rises like drivers who received 15% wage bump after months of crippling strikes

Rail union barons will today demand inflation-busting pay hikes for guards after train drivers got a bumper rise.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will hold talks with the Government today and is expected to demand at least a 4 per cent increase for this year as well as a backdated 5 per cent rise for last year.

This comes after drivers got a 14.25 per cent increase over three years with no strings attached.

The militant RMT will then hold talks with state-owned Network Rail on Thursday about similar rises for signallers and track maintenance staff.

Union negotiators were said to be ‘hopeful’ a deal could be struck last night as the new Labour Government appears to be more receptive to their demands.  

RMT boss Mick Lynch has warned that his members will expect a similar pay offer to that received by Aslef, which represents train drivers.

RMT boss Mick Lynch (pictured) has warned that his members will expect a similar pay offer to that received by Aslef, which represents train drivers.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport ( RMT ) union will hold talks with the Government today and is expected to demand at least a 4 per cent increase for this year as well as a backdated 5 per cent rise for last year.

The militant RMT will then hold talks with state-owned Network Rail on Thursday about similar rises for signallers and track maintenance staff

Mr Lynch said last week: ‘All things being equal, we are expecting a parallel, synchronised offer to that of Aslef.’

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has previously backed RMT strikes. When Labour was in Opposition in 2018, she posted an image of herself on X, formerly Twitter, taking part in a hustings with RMT officials.

Alongside the image, she posted: ‘On Thursday I spoke in support of RMT workers who are striking to keep guards on our trains.

‘These guards play a vital role in keeping passengers safe.’

The post related to a long-running row about switching to driver-only operated (DOO) trains, where drivers open and close the doors rather than guards. The RMT has long opposed the moves.

The RMT donated £72,000 to 18 Labour candidates, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, in the run-up to last month’s general election.

As well as the bumper settlement for train drivers – which they still have to vote to accept – the new Government has signed off a 5.5 per cent pay increase for most other public sector workers, estimated to cost taxpayers £9.4billion.

Meanwhile, it has offered junior doctors 22 per cent.

GPs are also now demanding an 11 per cent increase in their funding – up from the 7.4 per cent offered by the Government.