SOLID STRIKE AC TION RMT members take further action in the campaign to defend jobs pay and conditions

Over 20,000 RMT members took strike action earlier this month in the latest phase of the national industrial dispute on jobs, pay and conditions across the train operating companies.

The strike, sandwiched between two ASLEF strike days, demonstrated that the entire railway workforce remains committed to the dispute, to protecting the future of workers in the industry and winning a fair deal.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that members had displayed a magnificent show of solidarity and commitment to the dispute and that it had been the steadfastness of the membership which had stopped the companies and the government from driving on with the imposition of cuts and changes to conditions.

“Your support for this dispute in three separate ballots and your solid strong backing of strike action has stopped those detrimental measures being introduced and has in fact, produced improved offers from the rail delivery group (RDG),” he said.

The initial stance of the government and the Rail Delivery Group included:

• A mere two per cent pay increase for everyone

• To bring in driver-only Operation in every company and railway service

• To cut catering services and restructure fleet engineering

• To close every ticket office at every station on the network from October 2022

• To bring in new contracts of employment for all staff with additional compulsory hours to cover mandatory Sunday working

• To cut thousands of our members jobs

• To attack the Railways Pension Scheme with massive cuts to benefits and increases to your contributions.

“Since the strikes there have been communications between the union and the (RDG) but no formal negotiations are yet planned. Despite its previous remarks, the RDG has not indicated that it is going to drive these matters directly into the 14 individual TOC negotiating structures at this time.

“It remains the position that the government requires that RMT should declare the dispute over before the union can enter in to negotiations in each of the TOCs on the detailed changes in the companies and internal departments which is something the union cannot agree with.

“It would be irresponsible of your union to give up its mandates and leverage at the negotiating table before the consultations and negotiations on your future in your company has even commenced.

“A meeting of the RMT and ASLEF executive committees has also been arranged to discuss our disputes.

“I thank you again for your support for your union and each other during this dispute and in the action we have taken. It is essential now that we stand firm and remain committed to the cause until we get a settlement that we can support,” said Mick Lynch.