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08/04/2004
UK railway strike looms as talks breakdown
The prospect of a nation-wide strike by rail maintenance workers is almost certain following the breakdown of lastditch talks between the main union and Network Rail over pay and conditions.
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union's executive will meet next Tuesday to discuss a national ballot of the union’s 7,000 Network Rail members, including signalling, maintenance and station staff.
The union has criticised the deal tabled, saying that an assurance on compulsory redundancies was not forthcoming.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “The company has imposed a pension scheme for new entrants that is no better than a glorified savings plan subject to the whims of the market. Their pay offer of 3% is the lowest in the rail industry, and they have refused to follow the Mayor of London’s lead and re-instate travel facilities to staff who joined the railway after privatisation in 1996."
The union has hit out at fat cat bonuses paid to company directors, while squeezing pay, destroying the pension scheme and allowing inequality in travel facilities.
Mr Crowe said: “Those left in the old final-salary pension scheme are destined to pay ever-increasing costs as the scheme is left to wither on the vine. We will not sit back and watch as our members are made to pay the price of privatisation, and we will not tolerate a two-tier workforce."
Network Rail's offer includes three options offering a 35-hour working week, but all were rejected by the union.
(SP)
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union's executive will meet next Tuesday to discuss a national ballot of the union’s 7,000 Network Rail members, including signalling, maintenance and station staff.
The union has criticised the deal tabled, saying that an assurance on compulsory redundancies was not forthcoming.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “The company has imposed a pension scheme for new entrants that is no better than a glorified savings plan subject to the whims of the market. Their pay offer of 3% is the lowest in the rail industry, and they have refused to follow the Mayor of London’s lead and re-instate travel facilities to staff who joined the railway after privatisation in 1996."
The union has hit out at fat cat bonuses paid to company directors, while squeezing pay, destroying the pension scheme and allowing inequality in travel facilities.
Mr Crowe said: “Those left in the old final-salary pension scheme are destined to pay ever-increasing costs as the scheme is left to wither on the vine. We will not sit back and watch as our members are made to pay the price of privatisation, and we will not tolerate a two-tier workforce."
Network Rail's offer includes three options offering a 35-hour working week, but all were rejected by the union.
(SP)
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