A source close to the railway leaders said there was a “complete lack of progress” before the talks broke down on Wednesday afternoon, accusing the union of being “unwilling to negotiate or compromise” and “determined to walk, not talk”. . RMT bosses have so far rejected a 3 per cent “no commitment” increase for Network Rail staff with a further 1 per cent increase in productivity gains. It comes as trade union bosses on Wednesday night cited a 7.1% pay rise by rail workers in Liverpool as a “new benchmark”. Merseyrail – one of the few franchises operating without government money – has agreed to an agreement with the Transport Employees Association (TSSA). The Merseyrail is overseen by Liverpool Labor Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham. TSSA chief Manuel Cortes said the deal “clearly shows” that unions are seeking solutions and that the government “intends to dig into their heels”. RMT has repeatedly called on Mr Shapps to come to the negotiating table. However, Andrew Haines, CEO of Network Rail, told The Telegraph: “The government has been criticized for not being at the negotiating table. To take the order. “But the RMT people at the negotiating table have no mandate, they have to get everything through their executive committee.” He said that on Sunday, they thought they had made “very good progress” – but the negotiators who left the table with “a big thumbs up” had “literally overturned” an hour after the NEC meetings. Mr. Haines attacked so-called archaic practices, such as requiring a 12-minute walk for a 60-second walk to work.
