RMT Re-ballot – Member Q&A THE RE-BALLOT OPENS ON 18TH OCTOBER AND CLOSES ON 15TH NOVEMBER. DON’T DELAY, VOTE STRAIGHT AWAY. This document seeks to answer members’ questions about the re-ballot. If you have a question that is not covered here, email ballot@rmt.org.uk.
Q. Why are we being re-balloted? Anti-trade union laws require us to re-ballot members every six months to renew the mandate for industrial action. Any action already called is covered by the current mandate which expires on 23 rd November 2022. Q. Can I vote in the re-ballot online? No, legally we must conduct a postal ballot. The ballot will come from the independent scrutineer Civica in a green envelope. There will be a freepost return envelope inside for you to return your ballot. Q: How many people need to vote in order for us to be able to take industrial action? Because of the anti-trade union laws, at every company included in the ballot, at least 50% of all members must vote in the ballot, and at least 40% of all members eligible to vote must vote yes. For instance, this means that if there were 1000 RMT members at a company, to meet the threshold, at least 500 members must vote, and at least 400 members must vote yes in order for the workforce to be able to take industrial action. If 499 members voted in the ballot, even if they all voted yes, the threshold would not be met, and the workforce would not be able to take industrial action. That’s why it’s vital that not only do members VOTE YES, but we make sure that the turnout is high. All members must use their vote!
Q. Who is being re-balloted? All RMT members at Network Rail and the following train operating companies: Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Northern Trains, South Eastern Railway, GTR, Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, South Western Railway. Q: What are we being balloted for? We are balloting members for strike action and industrial action short of a strike. The industrial action short of a strike we could call is an overtime ban and/or a rest day ban. Under balloting laws no other forms of action can be called other than what is listed on the ballot paper. Q: When does the ballot open and close? The ballot opens on Tuesday 18th October and returned ballot papers must reach the independent scrutineer Civica by no later than 5pm on Tuesday 15th November. RMT is urging members to VOTE YES and vote straight away. Q: What if I don’t receive my ballot paper? If you don’t receive your ballot paper or if your details have changed since the ballot earlier in the year, please email ballot@rmt.org.uk to update your details and receive a new ballot paper. Q: How soon after the re-ballot can we take strike action? The law requires us to give 14 days’ notice of any action. Q: How are the negotiations going? Your industrial action to date has brought the employers to the negotiating table and ensured the government has started talking to your union at the highest level. At the negotiations, your union representatives are prioritising your job security, a pay rise and protecting your conditions of service. The employers want lower pay, less staff and changes to your conditions. So, the negotiations and the dispute are at an important stage and it’s important at this critical time that you keep up the pressure and return a yes vote. If we don’t get a yes vote the employers will not give a decent pay award and will impose job losses and worse conditions of service. The dispute is at a crucial stage and a big YES vote now will strengthen the arm of your negotiators. All members covered by these disputes will have received a special re-ballot edition of RMT news, which contains an important message from the General Secretary. You can view this online here. Q: What are our demands in the negotiations? In the negotiations our priorities are defending your job security, working conditions and achieving a pay award that recognises that members’ have been subjected to pay freezes and the ongoing costof-living crisis. Q: How can I get the message out about the re-ballot? Get the message out to colleagues and members that we are legally required to re-ballot in order to continue taking action, and that at least 50% of RMT members at each company must vote in the ballot.
RMT is urging members to VOTE YES and vote quickly. A strong YES vote will strengthen the arms of your negotiators in defence of your job, pay and conditions. Re-ballot posters and stickers can be requested from your regional office or by emailing ballot@rmt.org.uk and you can download electronic versions here. Q: What are Network Rail’s proposals? As well as an ongoing pay freeze, Network Rail is proposing: •
A complete restructure of the Maintenance function with fundamental changes to working practices, rostering, competency, organisation and other measures and the loss of almost 2000 thousand jobs.
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Productivity and technology measures for signallers.
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Stations – there remains lack of clarity on the future role of Network Rail station staff in the plans.
Q: What are the Train Companies proposals? As well as an ongoing pay freeze, the train companies want to make a number of detrimental changes to jobs and working conditions, including: •
Closing nearly all ticket offices and moving all station staff to one ‘multi-functional’ grade.
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Extending Driver Only Operation (DOO) across the railway and creating one on-board grade responsible for all functions (including catering, train presentation, revenue duties).
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Making 7-day working mandatory at all train operators. This would significantly worsen work-life balance.
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Lower pay, longer hours contracts. In other words, work longer and harder for less money.
All of this is underpinned by an as yet un-stated number of job cuts. Q: Are we seeking a multi-year pay day and would any pay award be backdated? In the negotiations we are seeking a pay award that recognises that members have been subjected to ongoing pay freezes. The companies have indicated they would prefer multi year deals. Q: Is there any support for members who are struggling financially due to industrial action? The union has established a system for payments to members who are experiencing significant financial hardship arising from taking strike action. This is administered via branches and regional councils, so any members wishing to request a payment should contact their branch or regional council. Q: Are apprentices covered by the negotiations and re-ballot?
Yes, all members including apprentices are being re-balloted. Any pay award would apply to apprentices and of course, we are fighting to protect jobs and conditions for future workers as well. Q: Are staff on their probationary period included in the ballot? Yes, all RMT members, including staff on their probationary period are being re-balloted. It is illegal for employers to victimise workers, including those on their probation period, for taking industrial action. Q: Do I have to tell my manager if I am going on strike or taking industrial action? You do not have to tell your manager that you are taking industrial action. The union informs the companies of the grade and workplaces of who we call to take action. However, there is nothing to stop you telling them if you wish to do so.