Rail Delivery Group responds to the latest RMT ballot

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, said: "While the outcome of the ballot is disappointing, sadly it is also unsurprising during an on-going dispute such as this. The vote that really matters is for the deal on the table developed in conjunction with RMT negotiators but then subsequently rejected out of hand in unflattering terms by their executive committee.

"The RMT membership would be forgiven for wondering why they are only ever offered a vote to extend this dispute and a never vote to end it. We can only assume that the executive committee is fixed on continuing this dispute for its own reasons, despite the damage is causing to an industry still being subsidised up to £175 million a month extra post covid, to our passengers' lives and to Britain's reputation for hosting high profile events like Eurovision. 

"Instead of continuing to hold the country to ransom, we call on the RMT executive to quickly think again and put the deal - which offers job security guarantees and a pay rise of up to 13% - out to a democratic vote so that members can finally have their say."