As of next month Network Rail will re-open its final salary pension scheme following union pressure.
The organisation, which had closed the scheme to new members from March 2004 to save costs, will now allow employees with five years service to join the defined benefit pension scheme.
This came as members of trades unions RMT and TSSA had threatened militancy if the scheme was not re-opened. Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, said that the scheme re-opening was caused through the cold threat of industrial action.
Network Rail employees who have been transferred to the company from other firms in the industry, such as Balfour Beatty and Jarvis, can also join the scheme as long as they have had five years service in the industry.
The firm is also increasing its contribution levels in January to ensure that it meets its funding levels; going up from 8% to 9.5%.