UK : Rail Union Strike - Called Off After New Pay Offer

[arista]

http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2015/5/12/391871/default/v1/metro-1-720x960.jpg

[Union members have voted to hold a railway strike that will disrupt service for millions of commuters]

[joeysteele]

Well they haven't forced it on the country, since this ballot would have satisfied even the newer tough measures for calling strike action that this govt; is planning to bring in.

People have the right to strike in the UK and although I disagree with this one, it has been voted for by the staff therefore it is fully legitimate.

Of course the govt; could try to be more consensual and talk rationally as to avoiding this.
Or it can go on its usual arrogant way, showing total disregard for a democratic process when it doesn't suit them.

[smudgie]

No sympathy for them, poor beggars only being offered £500 a year pay rise this year, on top of what they have had above public sector workers in previous years.
Such a shame they can hold the country to ransom like this really.
No doubt the passengers will end up paying for it, in more ways than one.

[Kizzy]

'In both disputes members have voted by well over 80% for action in large turn outs. The results will now be considered by the union executive.
RMT Reps have been involved in extensive talks with Keolis/Amey Docklands management regarding the 2015 pay review and other issues including the shifting of the pay anniversary date. Following a series of meetings, the Company had failed to table a suitable pay offer and having noted the views of both reps and members, the RMT executive took the decision to conduct a ballot for strike action.'

'Meanwhile, in a separate dispute, RMT balloted staff on a contract awarded by Keolis/Amey Docklands to notorious anti-union facilities company Interserve.

RMT Reps have been in talks with Interserve management regarding a whole series of issues that remain unresolved and the union took the decision to conduct a ballot for strike action to protest against management’s failure to resolve the following:-

Members not being paid correctly or not being paid at all for the work you have done.

Members not receiving proper payslips.

Members not receiving set hours contract of employment and rosters, which we were told would be given to staff 3 months ago.

Members not receiving pay increases which maintain the differentials between grades. This is a long-standing claim from when the contract was with Carlisle Cleaning & Security.'

'As far as we are concerned the one off, non-consolidated, lump-sum payment this year is wholly inadequate and fails to recognise the massive pressures staff are working under to keep services running at a time when the company is generating profits of £1 billion. It is our members battling to keep Britain moving around the clock and they deserve a fair share from Network Rail for their incredible efforts.
“In addition, we are extremely concerned that the “No Compulsory Redundancy” commitment only applies to the first two years of the four year deal.

“RMT is in no doubt that this leaves Operations and Maintenance members extremely vulnerable, especially with the continued development of Rail Operating Centres and the on-going cuts programme at Network Rail.

“Our rail staff deserve a fair reward for the high-pressure, safety-critical work that they undertake day and night and the last thing that we need is a demoralised, burnt-out workforce living in fear for their futures and the message has come back loud and clear that that is exactly how they feel about the current offer from Network Rail.'

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/massive-vote-for-action-on-docklands-light-railway/

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/overwhelming-vote-for-industrial-action-on-network-rail-pay/


I 100% agree with the action, look what happens across the board when costs are cut and safety compromised, my feeling is disasters similar to those in America recently would almost certainly increase here too.

[Kizzy]

'It is important to put the pay situation into context. While they plead poverty, we have examples of three senior directors who are happy to award themselves +40% pay rises allowing them to reach near seven figure salaries. This is indicative of a corporate culture not just at Network Rail but across the rail industry where it’s one rule for the bosses and one rule for the workers. It’s time to say enough is enough and vote yes for action!!

What we know is their latest offer will see your pay fail to keep up with inflation and fails to give adequate job security. Network Rail made a £1.2 billion profit last year, double the previous year, and we believe you deserve fair reward for the hard work and long unsociable hours you do to keep the network running.'


https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rates-of-pay-and-conditions-of-service-2015--network-rail010515/

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/top-rail-bosses-pay-hypocrisy/

[bots]

Its a mess for sure with the unions and management both being at fault, I think. Safety is paramount in this and should never be compromised

[Livia]

Sack the lot of them.

[joeysteele]

Sack the lot of them.

That attitude would for sure bring the country to a standstill and cause absolute chaos too.

Far better to work out a compromise and sort grievances out and not take such a hardline as to things in my view.

[Livia]

That attitude would for sure bring the country to a standstill and cause absolute chaos too.

Far better to work out a compromise and sort grievances out and not take such a hardline as to things in my view.

As striking is supposed to be a last resort I imagine that's all been tried already, all the compromising and the placating. And if it hasn't been tried, they have no right even thinking about striking.

All I know is that my season ticket costs thousands and I sometimes don't get a seat. Moreover, lots of people haven't had a rise at all because of the recession, and a significant number of those people will rely on trains to get to work.

[Jack_]

I reckon everyone who uses trains to commute should join them in striking for a capping of fares and preferably a re-nationalisation :clap1:

[joeysteele]

As striking is supposed to be a last resort I imagine that's all been tried already, all the compromising and the placating. And if it hasn't been tried, they have no right even thinking about striking.

All I know is that my season ticket costs thousands and I sometimes don't get a seat. Moreover, lots of people haven't had a rise at all because of the recession, and a significant number of those people will rely on trains to get to work.

I don't agree with the strike but this ballot would have even fully complied with the more severe plans this govt; is setting out to do as to strike action.

The ballot is done, there is plenty of time to work out a compromise still by employers if they are willing to attempt to do so along with the Unions and staff too.

If they are not, and all that has so far failed,then the strike will in fact be the last resort.
The action totally legal and validated, and people shouldn't get sacked for doing nothing illegal.

[joeysteele]

I reckon everyone who uses trains to commute should join them in striking for a capping of fares and preferably a re-nationalisation :clap1:

I would fully now support re-nationalisation.

[AnnieK]

I just fail to see what striking achieves other than cause hardships to people. Both my parents came out on strike when we were kids and the action didn't amount to anything really other than missed mortgage payments due to loss in salary for the time they were out.

[bots]

I just fail to see what striking achieves other than cause hardships to people. Both my parents came out on strike when we were kids and the action didn't amount to anything really other than missed mortgage payments due to loss in salary for the time they were out.

Negotiation is the only sensible way forward, for either side in a dispute. What did the miners gain from all their action in the past. They put their families on the breadline. If they had negotiated, Thatcher wouldn't have been able to stick the boot in the way she did and kill workers rights for generations

[Livia]

I reckon everyone who uses trains to commute should join them in striking for a capping of fares and preferably a re-nationalisation :clap1:

Most of the people commuting aren't on NEARLY as high a wage as the train drivers. And if you think that the rail service is expensive and unreliable now it's privatised it's not nearly as bad as it was when it was nationalised.

#rosetintedspecs

[joeysteele]

Most of the people commuting aren't on NEARLY as high a wage as the train drivers. And if you think that the rail service is expensive and unreliable now it's privatised it's not nearly as bad as it was when it was nationalised.

#rosetintedspecs

I personally cannot say for myself as to that as I wasn't born when they were privatised.

However my Father, a lifelong sceptic of nationalisation now says, it would be better for rail to be re-nationalised.
He said it has been a disaster since it was privatised and would welcome the change back any day of the week.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Strikes for this type of work should be illegal. Teachers too and tube workers.

[Livia]

I personally cannot say for myself as to that as I wasn't born when they were privatised.

However my Father, a lifelong sceptic of nationalisation now says, it would be better for rail to be re-nationalised.
He said it has been a disaster since it was privatised and would welcome the change back any day of the week.

My father tells a different story. Also, he was a paramedic and never went on strike, ever. He crossed picket lines and got called a scab and other choice names because he committed to giving a life-or-death service when he signed up, and I'm extremely proud of him for that.

[Kazanne]

No sympathy for them, poor beggars only being offered £500 a year pay rise this year, on top of what they have had above public sector workers in previous years.
Such a shame they can hold the country to ransom like this really.
No doubt the passengers will end up paying for it, in more ways than one.

Yes,the cheeky gits,have you been on a train lately,always bloody packed.dirty and overpriced.:wavey:

[bots]

I personally cannot say for myself as to that as I wasn't born when they were privatised.

However my Father, a lifelong sceptic of nationalisation now says, it would be better for rail to be re-nationalised.
He said it has been a disaster since it was privatised and would welcome the change back any day of the week.

Joey, it was an awful service when it was nationalised, however, I still think it is an awful service now, the trains may just run to time a bit more often. Railtrack and the private train companies have taken advantage for years, there should have been much more regulation and scrutiny. There have been failures after failures, and I blame successive governments for it. Will re nationalising it help, I very much doubt it. It needs improved regulation and accountability.

[Livia]

Joey, it was an awful service when it was nationalised, however, I still think it is an awful service now, the trains may just run to time a bit more often. Railtrack and the private train companies have taken advantage for years, there should have been much more regulation and scrutiny. There have been failures after failures, and I blame successive governments for it. Will re nationalising it help, I very much doubt it. It needs improved regulation and accountability.

Agree with all of that.

[joeysteele]

Joey, it was an awful service when it was nationalised, however, I still think it is an awful service now, the trains may just run to time a bit more often. Railtrack and the private train companies have taken advantage for years, there should have been much more regulation and scrutiny. There have been failures after failures, and I blame successive governments for it. Will re nationalising it help, I very much doubt it. It needs improved regulation and accountability.

Yes, I can go with that too.

[empire]

in truth the unions have a lot of corruption these days, many of its leaders are on high pay, like nearly on 100.000 pay checks,

[Kizzy]

Most of the people commuting aren't on NEARLY as high a wage as the train drivers. And if you think that the rail service is expensive and unreliable now it's privatised it's not nearly as bad as it was when it was nationalised.

#rosetintedspecs

I think you're the one with rose tinted specs Livia, What difference does it make what salary the train drivers are on?
And why should their job be compared to a commuters due to the fact they are requesting a fair wage... It's not relevant to the discussion in any way that you feel a train driver isn't entitled to job security and rights.
It's this mindset that is reversing the advances made in this country in respect of a fair secure wage in employment, the company is making huge profits and the workforce performing well why then should pay not reflect this?
The fares have risen exponentially since privatisation and interserve have gradually replaced contracted workers for those on 0hr or temp contracts to further cut costs.

[arista]

http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2015/5/20/393917/default/v1/metro-p1-may-21-1-720x960.jpg

VirginTrains has cancelled next Monday and Tuesday Trains
well ahead of the Strike.

[Kizzy]

'Network Rail is planning for fewer than one in 10 trains to run if next week’s strike goes ahead, with Gatwick airport cut off in a peak holiday week and British steel production being brought to a halt, leaked documents setting out its contingency plans show.

While some East Coast services will run, the documents show Scotland will effectively be cut off by rail from England, with no trains on the mainline between Newcastle and Edinburgh, as well as the full West Coast closure.

The track operator also fears major business contracts could haemorrhage from railway to road if disruption continues, including mail services and freight links serving the UK’s major delivery hubs, according to documents seen by the Guardian.

No freight trains will run between Sunday night and Wednesday. The analysis shows even a 24-hour stoppage would have a critical impact on iron and could bring production to a halt at the Tata steelworks.'

It is understood senior Network Rail executives tabled a new pay offer to union leaders at talks at Acas on Thursday, and a deal may be close which would avert strike action. The original four-year deal froze salaries at inflation and did not extend guarantees against feared job losses until beyond 2016.

The leaked documents show the importance of Network Rail’s legal challenge to one union’s strike ballot, being heard in the high court on Thursday. While the TSSA union’s membership is only a fraction of the RMT’s, Network Rail believes it can run around half the normal service to Gatwick airport on Tuesday should the TSSA be prevented from striking.'

Why would they freeze salaries at inflation, it has no baring on rail fare increases and or profits, as we a currently experiencing deflation would they then expect wages to decrease?
Demand for services isn't likely to decrease either so why would there be worries over job losses unless they were planning to make 1000s on permanent contracts redundant and hire 1000s more back on 0hrs?
But of course the overarching message will be 'greedy workers cripple city' and 'militant union members squeeze poor billionaire' :/

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/21/network-rail-planning-for-strike-stopping-90-of-trains

[arista]

The Strike is called off

[Cherie]

Will Virgin reinstate?

[joeysteele]

Has to be good news for rail users and good that common sense has prevailed and a lasting hopeful compromise reached.

[Kizzy]

Yes hopefully they've realised people will still want secure employment beyond 2016.

[arista]

Will Virgin reinstate?


They said they would but double check

[Z]

I thought it was only that one of the smaller unions had called off their strike action but the rest of them were still going ahead?

[Kizzy]

'The RMT’s general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “Following the Acas talks, RMT has received a revised offer that enables us to suspend the planned industrial action while we consult in full with our Network Rail representatives.”

The TSSA had called off its action earlier in the day, less than an hour before a legal challenge from Network Rail was due to be heard in the high court. The third union in talks, Unite, which has a few hundred rail members, said it would be consulting on the improved pay offer next week.'

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/21/rail-unions-call-off-bank-holiday-strike

[Z]

Oh good, does this mean I'll be able to get to work fine on Tuesday?

[Kizzy]

Oh good, does this mean I'll be able to get to work fine on Tuesday?

No, you have to bunk off and go to the seaside.

[arista]

[RMT union members at Network Rail are to go on strike next month after rejecting a pay offer.

They will hold a 24-hour strike from 17:00 BST on 4 June and a 48-hour strike from 17:00 BST on 9 June.

Staff had been due to walk out last week in the row over pay, but the union's executive suspended the action when Network Rail offered a new deal.]

[Kizzy]

Well at least it has been fair and democratically voted for, can't say fairer than that can you?
Of course the new rules will call for anyone who is pro strike to be blacklisted, there is legislation now which can demand that that information.

Four legs good.

[arista]

http://news.sky.com/story/1494275/rail-strikes-called-off-after-new-pay-offer


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