Members of the TSSA union have voted to accept pay offers made by train operating companies, ending their part in the long-running national rail dispute.
In an online ballot, 80% of participating members in management grades and 60% in other grades voted in favour of deals worth 9% over two years. Turnout was 57%.
The union will formally accept the offers and tell the train companies that its strike ballots have been withdrawn. The TSSA had already settled its dispute with Network Rail.
The move will increase the pressure on the leadership of the larger RMT union to allow a full vote on similar revised offers made by rail bosses in January.
RMT strikes are planned for 16 March, across Network Rail and train operators, and on 18 and 30 March and 1 April at train operators.
A TSSA spokesperson said: “This is a clear decision from our members which will end our long-running dispute – something which could have happened months ago had it not been for government intransigence.
“The incredible resolve we have seen from our members has resulted in a significantly improved pay deal over two years, commitments for no compulsory redundancies, improved opportunities for redeployment, as well as full consultation over proposed reforms to ticket offices and any changes to terms and conditions.
“Thanks to the great commitment of our members across the train companies, they have collectively won a better future and can be rightly proud of their actions in this historic dispute.”
The union said it continued to oppose the proposed closures of ticket offices.
Steve Montgomery, the chair of the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators, said: “This is a positive breakthrough which shows these disputes can be resolved when members are given an opportunity to have their say in a democratic vote. TSSA members have sent a clear message that they welcome this fair offer, which means that those on the lowest pay are now eligible for a rise of over 13%, with all grades receiving at least a 9% rise in their 2022-23 pay packets.
“We hope that the RMT leadership will take this opportunity to reconsider their rejection of our equivalent offer, call off their unnecessary and disruptive strikes and allow their members a referendum on their own deal.”
The TSSA’s future is in doubt with the entire former leadership suspended after a damning inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment.
