NETWORK RAIL STRIKE

O ver 12,000 Network Rail maintenance workers took another round of solid strike action in July after senior managers vetoed agreements reached at talks on the long- running dispute over harmonisation of terms and conditions. Assistant general secretary Mick Cash said that the union had reached clear understandings in the latest round of talks on a range of issues which would have prevented the need for a second strike, but these were later vetoed by the company. “It is clear that the company is still trying to use what should be talks about harmonisation as a cost-cutting attack on jobs and conditions and they are not allowing their negotiators to come to any meaningful agreements,” he said. He said that the latest strike was a solid demonstration by members that they expect talks about harmonisation to produce proposals about harmonisation, not ever-longer lists of the conditions the company wants to destroy. RMT also called for an urgent investigation into Network Rail’s contingency plans which included leaving unmarked vans loaded with explosive and highly combustible materials parked on public roads. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack agreed that it was a major concern to firefighters and the public. RMT understands that vans containing a highly explosive combination of compressed gasses including acetylene, oxygen and commercial Calor gas, and quantities of petrol, oil and railway detonators would be left on public roads instead of secure compounds, possibly in the Peterborough and Huntingdon areas. Mick Cash said that it was important for members to understand that it was senior management at Network Rail blocking any resolution to the dispute, not the union. “We remain available for talks, but if Network Rail wants to settle this dispute it should get around the table and negotiate a harmonisation package that is acceptable to our members,” he said. RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: july/august 2008 :: RMTnews 6 The RMT Credit Union is your own co-operative bank that offers an easy way to save and a cheap way to borrow. Presented by Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor, this short film explains how RMT members can receive low- interest loans and save their money knowing that it is safe. This film answers the questions that people ask about credit unions and shows that, unlike the high street banks, it belongs to its members and that any profit made is ploughed back into it. Credit Union administrator Nicola Hoarau points out that it enables members to have ready access to cheap loans while building up a savings account – all at the same time. “We can provide help and support for all RMT members’ savings and credit needs. “We can do this by taking the profit motive out of savings and loans by recycling all the profits through cheap loans and dividends,” she says. Put your DVD in now and see how you can find an easy way to save and a cheap way to borrow. All RMT members and their families and retired members can join simply by filling in the form at the back of this magazine. Why not join today! JOIN YOUR CREDIT UNION! Abbey Tullett previews your free DVD in this month’s RMT News which explains how you can beat the credit crunch NETWORK RAIL MAINTENANCE STAFF STRIKE OVER HARMONISATION