More cash for Connex guards

Connex today caved into union demands and offered a substantial pay rise and shorter hours for 300 train guards in a desperate bid to head off a strike.

There is doubt, however, whether it will be enough to satisfy the RMT, the rail industry's largest union, when it meets next week.

Union leaders have made it clear they are prepared to order a strike ballot in a row over pay parity for the guards, on £19,700 a year, to bring them into line with train drivers who receive £29,500.

Tension among the guards increased at Connex when the drivers, mostly members of rival union Aslef, got an 11 per cent rise over 27 months. The RMT guards were only offered 4.8 per cent over 18 months.

Now, with other passenger train companies throughout the country facing the same pay battle, Connex has offered 4.8per cent over 12 instead of 18 months.

If accepted staff will receive 4.2per cent now, backdated to October, and a further 0.6per cent in March. There will be a fresh round of pay talks in October. Connex has also offered to take an hour off the working week from October.