Planned disruption to train services in Perth and Kinross later this month is expected to be greatly reduced after Network Rail workers received a new pay offer.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has suspended all upcoming industrial action in a continued dispute over pay, jobs and conditions, where a ban on overtime was also planned.
Union members had planned to walk out on March 16 but the RMT’s executive committee will now put the offer to members in a ballot in the coming days.
While the dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, the industrial action would have a knock-on effect for services as Network Rail staff occupy critical safety roles, including signallers who are essential to the running of services.
Overtime bans and rest day working bans by Network Rail staff during March and April have also been suspended.
The union said on Tuesday: “The RMT National Executive Committee has taken the decision to suspend all industrial action on Network Rail following receipt of a new offer from the employer.
“Further updates will be given on all aspects of the national rail dispute in the coming days.”
RMT strikes involving workers for 14 train operating companies, such as Southern, Avanti West Coast and Greater Anglia, will go ahead on March 16, 18, 30 and April 1.
But up to 80 per cent of trains can now run on those days because Network Rail staff will be working.
Network Rail has improved on its previous nine per cent pay offer but an exact figure has not yet been revealed publicly.
The Network Rail offer also includes no compulsory redundancies until 2025.
RMT is yet to decide if it will recommend a vote in favour of the offer.
Network Rail boss Andrew Haines said: “We are relieved for our people, passengers and freight customers that industrial action in Network Rail has now been suspended. We look forward to further information on plans for a referendum.”
When Network Rail staff strike, only around 20 per cent of services are able to run due to the lack of signallers.
RMT members at Network Rail have been in a pay dispute since last summer.
The row culminated in no train services in over five days in Perth and Kinross over a single week in the run up to Christmas due to the strikes.
Walkouts also took place from 6pm on Christmas Eve to 6am on December 27 and January 3, 4, 6 and 7.
