Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail are set to vote on a new pay offer which saw them suspend strike action.

The referendum on what the union described as a “new and improved” offer will run from Thursday, March 9 until Monday, March 20.

The RMT said the proposal “involves extra money” and is not conditional on accepting Network Rail’s maintenance reforms.

Workers at Network Rail were due to strike again on Thursday, March 16, but in a surprise development on Tuesday night (March 7) the RMT announced the suspension of its action at the Government-owned company after receiving the new offer.

The Bolton News: RMT members at Network Rail will not strike on March 16 nowRMT members at Network Rail will not strike on March 16 now (Image: PA)

What is being offered to Network Rail RMT members

The Evening Standard reports that the pay offer will see the lowest-paid employees get a 14.4% salary rise, while the highest-paid will get 9.2%.

They add: "There is an additional 1.1 per cent on basic earnings, increased backpay and a total uplift on basic income of between 15.2 per cent for the lower paid grades and 10.3 per cent for the highest paid grades."

General secretary of the RMT Mick Lynch said of the situation: “Network Rail have made a new and improved offer and now our members will decide whether to accept it.

“We will continue our campaign for a negotiated settlement on all aspects of the railway dispute.”

A strike by RMT members at 14 train operators is still scheduled to take place on March 16, 18 and 30 and April 1, and is expected to cause major disruption.

This is with members who are not part of Network Rail.