RMT Union members working for train operators have voted to accept a pay deal, bringing an end in part to the long-running national rail dispute. The union announced that members overwhelmingly voted in favour in an electronic ballot of a backdated 5% pay deal for 2022-23, allowing talks to continue on a further deal for 2023-24 without the threat of strikes or layoffs. The quarrel over pay, jobs and working arrangements triggered a series of national strikes, starting in June 2022. The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “Our members have spoken in huge numbers to accept this unconditional pay offer and no compulsory redundancies until the end of 2024. "I want to congratulate them on their steadfastness in this long industrial campaign. “We will be negotiating further with the train operators over reforms they want to see. And we will never shy away from vigorously defending our members terms and conditions, now or in the future. “This campaign shows that sustained strike action and unity gets results and our members should be proud of the role they have played in securing this deal.” The transport secretary, Mark Harper, said: “This is welcome news for passengers and a significant step towards resolving industrial disputes on the railway, giving workers a pay rise before Christmas and a pathway to delivering long overdue reforms.” Photo: Councillor Maria Brabiner raising support for rail union workers