DEAL AT NETWORK RAIL

R MT operational and customer services staff at Network Rail have voted by over 80 per cent to accept a revised pay deal and the introduction of the 35-hour week by August 6 2006, 18 months ahead of the company’s original schedule. Following the union’s initial call for strike action, Network Rail tabled a revised pay deal and the introduction of the 35- hour week in October, which members rejected. The pay element of the offer involves a 21-month deal with no strings attached, with the next anniversary date being January 1 2008. Year one of the offer is a 3.2 per cent increase on base salaries while from April 2007 there will be an increase of RPI+0.75 per cent. It has just been announced that the new RPI figure is 3.3 per cent so that if this figure remained constant until next February, staff would receive an increase of 4.05 per cent next year over a nine month period. This equates to more than five per cent over 12 months. However, with the current situation in the Middle East and the possible effect on oil prices and inflation, it is possible that the 2007 pay increase will be even higher. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the union had persuaded the company to move a long way. “The first offer made in February was for a three-year deal that gave only 0.5 per cent in year one and the 35-hour week would not have been fully introduced until 2008,” he said. 35-HOUR WEEK Initially, rostered employees will continue to work a 36-hour roster with the additional hour being paid as overtime at the basic rate. Non-rostered employees, such s office-based staff, will start working the 35 hour week from August. From October 1 onwards, and no later than December 31 2006, the 35-hour week will be fully implemented with revised rosters and rest days. This will be subject to local agreement as is always the case with rosters. Once new rosters are agreed, staff working eight hour turns, for example, will benefit from six additional rest days per year while staff on 12 hour turns will get four rest days. Network Rail will be taking on an additional 180 staff to provide cover for these extra rest days and there will be no reduction in annual leave as a result of the additional rest days. TRAVEL The offer on travel subsidy remains the same, i.e. 40 per cent from this year and 45 per cent from April 2007. The union will continue to pursue its goal of 75 per cent travel subsidy and leisure travel for all staff. PAY As a result of the deal, hourly basic rates will increase by over 10 per cent between the August 2006 and April 2007. Examples of what the whole package will mean for a selection of grades are given above. www.rmt.org.uk :: july/august 2006 :: RMTnews 5 RMT members visiting London can now take advantage of affordable accommodation at the union's Maritime House building, Clapham. Single rooms are available for just £24 per night to members and close family. Couples can have a reduced rate of £36 for two rooms. Maritime House is a few minutes walk from Clapham Common station for quick access to central London. To book a room, or for further details, contact Denise Craig at RMT on 020 7529 8840 or email d.craig@rmt.org.uk. WHEN VISITING LONDON, WHY NOT STAY WITH RMT? Grade Current Current Hourly Hourly Salary Hourly Total salary hourly rate rate from rate increase rate backdated from April 2007 from in hourly to April August assuming April 2007 rate between 2006 2006 current RPI now and figure April 2007 2 £17,920 £9.54 £9.84 £10.13 £19,242 £10.54 10.5% 4 £21,280 £11.33 £11.70 £12.02 £22,850 £12.52 10.5% 6 £24,920 £13.27 £13.70 £14.09 £26,759 £14.66 10.5% 8 £28,563 £15.21 £15.70 £16.15 £30,671 £16.80 10.5% NETWORK RAIL BRINGS IN 35-HOUR WEEK