Network Rail has triggered a row with its staff by refusing to pay bonuses to union members who took part in strikes earlier this year.

Up to 20,000 members of the RMT staged walkouts over eight months in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The dispute ended in March when union members voted to accept a 9pc pay rise, with more going to lower paid staff.

However, RMT said that Network Rail has refused to pay bonuses to any staff who took part in the strikes.

“The decision to exclude trade unionists from this bonus scheme is disgraceful and is understandably causing significant consternation among members,” RMT general secretary Mick Lynch wrote in an email seen by the Financial Times.

Network Rail confirmed the decision and said it had warned employees they would not receive a bonus if they went on strike.

A spokesman said: “Our position was made very clear - any discretionary payments would focus on those who continued to support rail services during industrial action.”

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