CLERICAL MEMBERS READY TO FIGHT FOR PENSIONS

RMTnews :: april 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 16 It is time to stand up and fight defend the final salary Railways Pension Scheme, conference agreed. Chris Smart, Cardiff delegate said it was clear that the employers wanted to shut down the scheme. “Employers see pensions as not being part of the new business model. “If Network Rail is allowed to stop new entrants into the scheme, other companies will follow suit,” he said. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that it was a huge issue for all rail workers. “Bosses are saying that pensions are no longer required and they are scheming to remove pension rights,” he said. He said there were now attempts to increase contributions in some cases to over 20 per cent of wages, making it too expensive so people drop out. Plans to close the scheme to new members also diminishes the long term viability of the pension fund. Rail unions have united to defend the scheme and have proposed an action plan to tackle the funding gap, streamline the scheme and keep it open to new members. “Pension were not given to us but won by those that came before us and it is down to us to defend this fund for those that came after us,” he told delegates. The union has resolved to begin a ballot for industrial action in defence of the pension fund after ATOC, Network Rail and the government failed to respond to requests from rail unions for talks on the issue. 35-HOUR WEEK AT NETWORK RAIL Conference unanimously backed calls for the introduction of a 35-hour week for supervisory grades at Network Rail. Chris Smart, said it was disappointing that the company was seeking to delay the measure as members in these grades regarded the matter a ‘done deal’. Paul Burton, reporting for the Council of Executives, said that the union had met with the company to implement the 35- hour week. “They offered a three year deal to pay for the cut in hours, which we rejected as pay was a separate matter,” he said. Conference called for a substantial one year pay increase for Network Rail staff. Chris Smart said such a deal should have no strings and travel facilities should be reintroduced for all staff. Bill Laing, North Mersey delegate said that all supervisory grades should be involved in all discussions on harmonisation within Network Rail. DEFENDING CONDITIONS Conference called for a campaign to inform supervisory and clerical grade members of their rights to be represented and accompanied at disciplinary hearings. Gary Hassell, Brighton joint delegate said that information should also be made available on health and safety at work, lone working, collective bargaining and conditions of service. “Issues surrounding the office working environment including bullying and dealing with the public should also be dealt with by the union,” he said. END LONE WORKING Conference called for a clear policy for ending lone working on barrier and gate lines. Paul Little, Feltham delegate said that double manning at all barriers needed to be maintained by fully trained staff. Gary Hassell, said that generic risk assessments for gatelines was unclear and required local union input. “These assessments are inadequate and the company has a duty of care to protect employees,” he said. Such a policy should include union guidelines for members to advise them of their rights under health and safety laws. He also called on the union Supervisory and clerical grades conference delegates converged on the French city of Lille to plan the fight for pension rights CLERICAL MEMBERS READY TO FIGHT FOR PENSIONS