RMT members vote to strike
Network Rail staff have voted in favour of a walkout following disputes over pay and pensions, bringing the prospect of transport chaos a step closer.
Sixty-eight per cent of the company’s RMT members voted in the ballot, of which 58 per cent voted in favour of strike action. The union is considering co-ordinating this action with action on the tube over a separate pay dispute. Such a strike would bring chaos to the whole country and particularly London.
The union is angry that Network Rail has closed its final salary pension scheme to new members, and “imposed an inferior- and cheaper- purchase scheme on new -starters”
It also rejected a pay offer of 3.5 per cent over two years.
Speaking after the ballot announcement the RMT’s leader Bob Crow said that his members had made it clear pensions fund are not ‘an optional luxury’ that could be cut ‘to help boost the bosses’ bonus fund’
If industrial action was to be avoided Bob Crow said that Network Rail must now ‘negotiate seriously.’
Network Rail accused the RMT of a “campaign of misinformation and scare mongering” over workers’ pension rights. It said all existing members will continue to receive a final salary pension and that the occupational scheme offered to new employees is “among the most generous offered by large companies”
A survey conducted for Network Rail found that the vast majority of the public were opposed to a railway strike; with 81 per cent saying it would damage British jobs and businesses
Chief executive John Armitt said the vote is ‘a damaging blow to passengers and the country as a whole’
He accused the RMT of failing to inform their members of the facts of the offers made.
The London Chamber of Commerce has described the union’s decision as “madness”.
The RMT will ballot London Underground members on June 2nd over “unacceptable” pay and conditions offers. The union is demanding improved terms for staff, amounting to a minimum starting salary of £22,000 for station assistants, the restoration of paid meal breaks and a 32-hour working week.
RMT leader Bob Crowe said: “We have shown a great deal of patience, and we remain prepared to consider a long-term deal.
“But the reality is that we are being offered no deal at all, and we are not prepared to be strung along simply because there is an election taking place.
A spokesman for London Underground said: “We are surprised the RMT is proposing industrial action at this time, as we are still in negotiations with them.”
Peter Bishop, deputy chief executive of the London Chamber commented: “The decision to strike is nothing short of madness. Our run-down transport infrastructure is problematic enough for businesses and commuters alike without further needless damage being inflicted on it.”
The RMT executive is now consulting before announcing what industrial they will be taking, and Bob Crow confirmed this afternoon that this would include co-ordinating action with members being balloted on the London Underground.
