Night Tube: RMT union recommends new pay deal from TfL in major breakthrough for 24-hour service
The RMT union has recommended that Tube drivers accept a pay deal made by Transport for London which would end a long-running dispute between the two and get the Night Tube launch back on track.
The deal, tabled last week to avert strike action, will be recommended to its 10,000 members in a vote that begins on 11 February.
It's a major step forward in the much anticipated but delayed launch of the Night Tube service which has been held up by the deadlock over pay and working conditions.
Earlier today, the same deal was turned down by Unite the union, however.Two other unions, Aslef and Tssa are yet to make a decision on the deal.
A TfL spokesman said plans to implement the NIght Tube, including the hiring of hundreds of new staff, would continue and that the fair offer was one that worked for drivers' work-life balance and with its business plan to become self sufficient by 2020.
The deal is:
From 1 April 2015 (backdated)
An average increase on basic salary of two per cent from 1 April 2015 comprising as follows:
One per cent plus, a flat rate of £500 consolidated increase for all grades in recognition of our transformation to a 24-hour passenger service operation. This is an above inflation increase for 2015/16.
From 1 April 2016
RPI or one per cent, whichever is the greater.
From 1 April 2017
RPI or one per cent, whichever is the greater.
From 1 April 2018
RPI plus 0.25 per cent, or 1 per cent whichever is the greater
Bonuses
In addition to the above all Tube staff (drivers and station staff) are getting a £500 bonus for the successful introduction of Night Tube.
All station staff also get a £500 bonus for the successful implementation of the new staff model (Fit for the Future – Stations).