STRIKE VOTE FORCES RAIL PENSIONS TALKS

RMTnews :: june 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 6 Around 250 RMT members at rail infrastructure firm Grant Rail took 24 strike action earlier this month after the company failed to honour a pledge to recognise the union. The union already represents a majority of the workforce and GrantRail already recognises those RMT members who transferred to the company from Jarvis contracts. RMT has demanded that the company now enters into a proper working relationship with the union. "It is time for GrantRail to do the honourable thing and recognise the union that the majority of its workforce have chosen to represent them," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said. "Last summer the company said it would recognise RMT if we could show that the majority of the workforce had joined. “We have done that, but for some reason the company has failed to stand by that pledge,” he said. Only 19 people voted against taking strike action and it should be clear to the company now that its workforce is serious about being represented by a union with more than a century's experience in the industry. (see page 10) All train operating companies and most infrastructure companies have agreed to a pensions commission after nearly 80 per cent of RMT members backed the vote for action. The RMT executive has agreed to participate in a three-member forum, to comprise one representative of the 100-plus employers involved, one representative of the unions and an independent chair. "Our members have backed the call for strike action with a massive three-to one majority, reflecting the depth of feeling that exists throughout the industry," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said. “This was a magnificent result, especially when taking into account the amount of misinformation put out by management to try and influence the outcome. “Members should be very pleased and extremely proud that they have defended what is in effect deferred wages,” he said. Throughout the campaign, the employers had refused to speak to the unions collectively on the basis that there was no industry-wide forum through which to do so. "The commission should now give the industry an opportunity to discuss and try to resolve the problems that threaten to overwhelm the Railways Pension Scheme,” Bob said. The union’s main four areas of concern are affordable contributions, maintaining benefit levels, keeping the scheme open and streamlining it in a sensible industry-wide structure. The union called for the speedy appointment of tribunal members to secure the future of the fund. So far, the campaign has prevented any immediate pension benefit cuts, and ensured that most members will, for the time being, be paying contributions of 10.56 per cent or less - the cap the union has been seeking. However, RMT is insisting that short-term fixes will not solve the long-term problems, and has demanded a long-term industry- wide solution. In the meantime, the strike mandate will remain live in order to ensure the employers don’t drag their feet on agreeing to a chairperson and a timetable for the commission to meet and report. STRIKE VOTE FORCES RAIL PENSIONS TALKS Following an overwhelming yes vote for strike action, rail employers agree to industry-wide commission over the future of the Railways Pensions Scheme GRANT RAIL MEMBERS IN RECOGNITION FIGHT