Rail union chief says ‘that is it’ after breakthrough deal to finish strikes

Rail union chiefs believe train drivers will back a groundbreaking new pay deal and end years of strike misery.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said “this is it” – but admitted the deal on the table is still a real-terms pay cut. The union has recommended a new deal that’s hoped to end over two years of deadlock under the Tories.

He told LBC Radio: “I believe this will go through.” Asked if this would end the dispute, he said: “This is it.” Mr Whelan told Times Radio that there will be misgivings, as the new agreement will be a “pay cut” when high inflation over the past five years is taken into account.

He said: “It doesn’t cover the cost of living crisis that we’ve seen in the last five years. But remembering we’re not seeking a pay rise for the two years of Covid. The deal covers the last two years of the dispute where inflation averaged over 25%.

“So effectively, we are taking a pay cut.” But he said he welcomed the new Government’s approach, saying he is “pleased that someone actually sat down and spoke to us, with somebody that’s interested in the future of the railways and wants industrial harmony.”

The new offer, reached following talks between the union and the Department for Transport, is for a 5% backdated pay rise for 2022/23, a 4.75% rise for 23/24, and 4.5% increase for 24/25. Aslef said the “no-strings” offer won’t be conditional on changes to working practices, which have been bitterly contested.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said she was pleased the “breakthrough” had been reached. She said: “When I took this job, I said I wanted to move fast and fix things – starting by bringing an end to rail strikes.

“The Conservatives were happy to see the taxpayer pay the price as strikes dragged on and on, and passengers suffered. This Labour Government is doing the right thing and putting passengers first.”