RMT Network Rail pay and redundancy calculator 2026 | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the pay award under the RMT / Network Rail Pay Agreement 2026-2027?

  The RMT secured a 3.8% pay rise with RPI inflation protection for Network Rail members under the 2025-26 agreement. The 2026-27 pay round opened in April 2026 in the context of the Great British Railways (GBR) consolidation. The agreement covers approximately 40,000 Network Rail workers including signallers, track workers, maintenance staff and engineering grades.

• Does the RMT / Network Rail agreement include a no-compulsory-redundancy guarantee?

  Yes. The RMT negotiated a no-compulsory-redundancy guarantee for Network Rail members as part of the pay deal. This means Network Rail has committed not to make any RMT-represented employees compulsorily redundant. Should redundancy occur, statutory entitlements under ERA 1996 s.162 apply as a minimum, and the CBA may provide enhanced terms — check with your RMT representative.

• How is redundancy pay calculated for Network Rail workers?

  Statutory redundancy pay is calculated under ERA 1996 s.162: 0.5 week's pay per year of service under age 22; 1 week's pay per year aged 22-40; and 1.5 weeks' pay per year aged 41 and over. From April 2026, weekly pay is capped at £700 for statutory purposes, with a maximum of 20 qualifying years. The maximum statutory payment is £21,000. The Network Rail CBA may provide enhanced redundancy above the statutory minimum — confirm with your RMT representative.

• How many days' annual leave do Network Rail workers receive?

  Under the Network Rail / RMT agreement, employees receive 25 days' contractual leave plus 8 bank holidays (33 days total) for those with fewer than 5 years' service, rising to 27 days plus 8 bank holidays (35 days total) after 5 years. The UK statutory minimum under Working Time Regulations 1998 is 28 days (5.6 weeks). Part-time workers receive a pro-rata entitlement based on their contracted hours.

• What is the notice period for Network Rail employees?

  Under ERA 1996 s.86, the statutory minimum notice is 1 week per complete year of service (minimum 1 week, maximum 12 weeks). Network Rail's contractual notice under the RMT agreement varies by grade: approximately 4 weeks for frontline workers (Grade 1-3), 8 weeks for technical and operational staff (Grade 4-5), and 12 weeks for senior and management roles (Grade 6-7). Always check your written employment contract for the authoritative notice period.

• Which pension scheme covers Network Rail RMT members?

  Most Network Rail employees covered by the RMT agreement are members of the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS), Shared Cost Section — a defined benefit (Career Average Revalued Earnings) scheme administered by Railpen. Indicative 2026 contribution rates are approximately 10.5% employee and 30% employer of pensionable pay, set by triennial actuarial valuation. As a defined benefit scheme, your actual pension at retirement depends on years of pensionable service and career average salary, not solely on contributions. Verify your current rate on your payslip or at railpen.com.

• What are the Railways Pension Scheme contribution rates in 2026?

  The Railways Pension Scheme (RPS) Shared Cost Section contribution rates are set by Railpen's triennial actuarial valuation. Indicative 2026 rates are approximately 10.5% employee contribution and 30% employer contribution of pensionable pay. These rates may change following each actuarial review. Check your payslip or contact Railpen at railpen.com for your current confirmed rate.

• What is the National Living Wage for rail workers in 2026?

  The National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over is £12.21 per hour from 1 April 2026. However, Network Rail workers covered by the RMT agreement are typically paid significantly above the NLW under the negotiated pay scales. The National Minimum Wage for workers aged 18-20 is £10.00 per hour from April 2026.

• Does the RMT / Network Rail Pay Agreement cover train operating company workers?

  The RMT / Network Rail Pay Agreement covers approximately 40,000 workers directly employed by Network Rail — including signallers, track workers, maintenance staff and engineering grades. The RMT holds separate recognition agreements at numerous train operating companies (TOCs), which have their own collective agreements. The Network Rail agreement is distinct from TOC agreements and the industry-wide context of Great British Railways consolidation.

• What happens to the pay agreement during the Great British Railways transition?

  The 2026-27 pay round opened in April 2026 during the ongoing transition to Great British Railways (GBR), which is expected to restructure collective bargaining arrangements across the rail network. The RMT will continue to negotiate separately for Network Rail members during this transition period. Workers should check with their RMT representative for the latest position on how the GBR consolidation affects their specific agreement.