Workers at rail operators and Network Rail will strike for 24 hours on 27 July in a dispute over pay, the RMT union has announced.

The news comes after the union rejected a pay offer from Network Rail, which it described as “paltry”, and after three rail strikes last month which crippled services across the country.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The offer from Network Rail represents a real terms pay cut for our members and the paltry sum is conditional on RMT members agreeing to drastic changes in their working lives.

“We have made progress on compulsory redundancies, but Network Rail are still seeking to make our members poorer when we have won in some cases double what they are offering, with other rail operators.

“The train operating companies remain stubborn and are refusing to make any new offer which deals with job security and pay.

“Strike action is the only course open to us to make both the rail industry and government understand that this dispute will continue for as long as it takes, until we get a negotiated settlement.”

Mr Lynch said that Network Rail members will strike from 2am on 27 July for 24 hours, and members of the train operating companies will take action from just after midnight until 23.59pm on the same day.

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The 27 July is the day before the Commonwealth Games begin in Birmingham.

Other unions to be consulted with possible coordinated action

The offer from Network Rail had included a 4% pay rise backdated to January, another 2% next year and a further 2% conditional on achieving “modernisation milestones”.

Sky News understands that more was on offer for those paid under £30,000, along with all members being offered discounted travel for them and their families, and bonuses.

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But the RMT said it was yet to receive a pay offer or guarantees over job losses from the train operating companies, adding that it will consult other unions that have voted for strike action, with the possibility of coordinated walk-outs.

Among them could be members of the drivers’ union Aslef, and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), both of which have backed industrial action in recent days.

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