North East Region Newsletter April 2023

North East Region

NETWORK RAIL VOTE TO ACCEPT OFFER

After months of concerted industrial action, RMT's Network Rail members have voted to accept the improved offer put to them by their employer While nobody is pretending that this is an overwhelming victory, 76% of members voted in favour, clearly demonstrating that this offer meets their needs and as a democratic union, the members' decision is the one that counts

After being told last year that the best they could possibly hope for in an offer would be a pay rise of 2-3%, they have accepted a deal that amounts to an uplift on salaries of 14.4% for the lowest paid workers and 9.2% for the highest paid.

Crucially, this offer comes without the conditions attached that were set to destroy the safety standards maintained by Network Rail members across the length and breadth of the UK's railway.

Other key features of the offer included:

A total uplift on basic earnings between 15.2 percent for the lowest paid grades to 10.3 percent for the highest paid grades - representing an additional 1.1 percent over the duration of the deal.

Increased backpay.

Renewing of the no compulsory redundancy agreement until January 2025.

Discounted rail travel benefits.

This new offer only came about due to the strong industrial action maintained by Network Rail members, forcing the government and the employer to back down on their earlier commitment to 'Modernising Maintenance'. This clearly shows that solidarity is key, and by collective action we can stand unite to achieve our goals.

Because of the determination of our members, the dispute with Network Rail is now over.

CONFERENCE SEASON IN NEWCASTLE

Thanks to a coordinated effort from activists and officers from the region, Newcastle is playing host to several of this year ' s RMT national conferences, bringing delegates to the city from all over the country

First, health and safety reps converged on York for the first time in the conference's history The conference was opened by regional President Martin McCleary and attended by General Secretary Mick Lynch. The conference focussed on such crucial issues as fatigue, women ' s occupational health, and RSSB guidelines

Next was the well-attended Signallers' Conference, which saw Senior Assistant General Secretary Eddie Dempsey give a passionate speech about standing together and remaining united throughout our current dispute He made the point that we ' re in this for the long run, and that we must remain strong no matter what happens - something that must be remembered despite the Network Rail dispute ending, as the TOCs are still fighting

There was also a very strong showing at the Women's Conference, where Assistant General Secretary John Leach echoed his colleagues' earlier words about solidarity and collective strength. With special guests Huffty McHugh from the West End Women and Girls Centre, and Laura Pidcock from the People's Assembly, the conference was lively and full of debate around vital equality issues, with the conference voting unanimously to fight for better flexible working policies across the transport industry at the AGM in June. North East Regional Council Secretary Jessica Robinson was elected Chair of the National Women's Advisory Committee for the next year, putting the North East front and centre on the national stage once again.

Delegates from RMT also represented the region at the TUC's annual Regional Conference, moving resolutions about last year ' s shameful P&O redundancies and the government's attempts at introducing antistrike legislation.

Next up, the North East will play host to the Disabled Members conference on Wednesday 19th - Thursday 20th April, and the Train Crew and Shunting Grades conference on Thursday 20th - Friday 21st April

STRIKES PULLED FOR TOCS

After two days of strike action in March, further strike dates have been suspended for members working for train operating companies after the Rail Delivery Group presented the RMT NEC with an option for negotiation As this newsletter goes to print, discussions are still in progress

North East Regional Council would like to thank all members for their concerted solidarity in all our strike action over the past few months

Next Branch Dates:

Darlington No1 - Monday 27th March, 1630 at Old English Gentleman Pub, Darlington

Teesside - Sunday 30th April, 1900 at Green Tree Pub, Middlesbrough

Newcastle Rail and Catering - Friday 14th April, 1600 at Split Chimp Micropub, Newcastle

Newcastle & Gateshead - Friday 7th April, 1830 at Marlborough Club, Newcastle

York & District - Monday 3rd April, 1830 at Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, York

Tyne and Wear May Day Rally

April 29th 11:00

Please join regional officers in Newcastle for a march from Exhibition Park (bandstand) to Grey's Monument where NEC representative David King will be speaking on behalf of RMT International Workers' Day, or May Day, takes place on the 1st May every year and is a celebration of the working class. Trade unionists gather every year to meet, march and speak about issues and battles within the movement. In Newcastle we get together on the Saturday before May Day to celebrate and march in solidarity with other unions It is always a fantastic and uplifting event and with our current dispute and the active support we receive from the public on the picket lines we really want as many RMT members as possible to join us.

REGIONAL CONTACTS

NERC CONTACTS

David King - Executive Member North East d.king@rmt.org.uk

Martin McCleary - Lead Recruiter North Tel: 07711 570848

berwickrail@rmt org uk

Tim Butler - Lead Recruiter South Tel: 07757 425859

yorkdistrict@rmt.org.uk

Donald Graham - Org Unit Tel: 07753 748074

d.graham@rmt.org.uk

Jessica Robinson - Regional Council Secretary Tel: 07784 224412

jpleather89@gmail.com

We welcome contributions to this newsletter - if you would like to write an article, please contact any one of the officers above

BRANCH EMAILS

Bedlington: bedlington@rmt.org.uk

Berwick Rail: berwickrail@rmt.org.uk

Newcastle & Gateshead: newcastlegateshead@rmt.org.uk

Newcastle Rail & Catering: newcastlerailcatering@rmt.org.uk

North East Shipping: northeastshipping@rmt.org.uk

Darlington: darlington1@rmt.org.uk

Teesside: teesside@rmt.org.uk

York & District: yorkdistrict@rmt.org.uk

North York Moors: north.moorsRail@rmt.org.uk

Hexham: hexhamrail@rmt.org.uk

REGIONAL OFFICES

Thomas Steels House

49a Thorne Road

Doncaster DN1 2EX

Tel: 01302 760694

North East Shipping Office Unit 17 Cookson House River Drive

South Shields NE33 1TL

Tel: 01914 561308

Branch meeting dates will be communicated in local depots - if you have any concerns, please contact your branch representative.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter: @RMTunion

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RMTunion