The counter staff vote for a 8 pc payment deal in a rift with other railway workers that threatens to undermine the union, calls for a general strike.
The Transport Salried Staffs Association (TSSA) will have 2,000 of its members vote on the two-year wage agreement, in a bid to support union ally the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union (RMT).
While the TSSA does not support Network Rail’s offer, the move differs from the approach taken by the RMT, which has declined to present the deal to its members.
The split threatens to undermine the RMT’s call for a general strike and suggests some union leaders could come under pressure over wage cuts. British “Summer of Discontent”.
The union told its members, “We are fully sharing the latest offer with members so you can take a look and have your say on your pay.”
Today an electronic referendum will be sent by email to all members. The referendum closes on Thursday 4 August at noon.
The announcement marks a change of tone by the TSSA. Mr Cortes promised to launch an “unmatched” disruption in the summer earlier this year.
At the time, he said: “I don’t think we’ve seen anything like this since the 1926 general strike. That’s the last time the three unions came out together.
“And we will coordinate our action. It will undoubtedly be a summer of discontent.
“When it comes down to it, I have a strategy that ensures that the… maximum possible disturbance.”
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, on Wednesday attacked Liz Truss’ plans to prevent “militant action” from crippling the economy. The Conservative candidate for leadership said: new laws would be introduced undermine the power of trade unions.
Lynch said “coordinated and synchronized union action” would be needed if legislation is enacted.
A general strike can only be called by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) if a “significant” number of workers in various sectors refuse to work until the requirements for wage changes and working conditions are met.
He told the newspaper: “There is a whole host of measures that she (Mrs Truss) wants to put in place that would make it virtually impossible to have effective union work and we think that collective action would be effectively banned.
“I think that’s a turn to the far right on behalf of the conservatives, and they’re playing to their reactionary base. I think there will be a huge response from the trade union movement.
“Only the TUC can call a general strike, we will campaign in that direction, but we need coordinated and synchronized industrial action against what they are proposing.
“I would seek a general strike if we can make that happen, but that is up to others. We are a small union compared to others. So we’ll have to see where that goes.”
Meanwhile, Network Rail began a legal process to make changes in work practices without union approval.
A formal consultation was launched to implement sweeping reforms after weeks of discussions on the RMT failed.
About 1,900 people will also be laid off. Network Rail says it does not expect any redundancies.
Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail, said: “We have not given up on finding a negotiated way forward. We’ve made a good wage offer and our door remains open, but we can’t keep circling the same ground day after day, week after week and get no further.
“These reforms are too important, especially given that we started these talks 18 months ago. It is vital that we make progress with our modernization plans to put our railways on a sustainable financial footing for the future.”