Rail suppliers get 3.5% rise

The TSSA, Amicus and RMT rail unions have negotiated a pay deal at National Railway Supplies worth 3.5% on basic rates from 1 January 2005.

In addition, the reward for clerical grades achieving "advanced status" has risen from 0.25% to 1% - so workers at this level will get a 4.5% rise, while "satisfactory" staff get 3.5% and those at the "basic" level, 2.5%.

The package also provides a bonus of 3.5% for 2004 and better family-friendly policies: maternity pay improves from six weeks at 90% of pay to nine weeks at 100%, while paternity leave rises from three days on full pay to five.