SOLIDARITY WINS AT NATIONAL EXPRESS EAST ANGLIA

RMT suspended industrial action on National Express East Anglia half way through a third 48- hour strike last month after the company agreed a much- improved pay offer. The revised pay deal has shifted the company from 0.5 per cent with strings to 3.5 per cent with no strings over two years with the potential for a further 0.5 per cent on top taking the increase to four per cent. The deal, overwhelmingly accepted by members in a referendum, saw NXEA also agree to pay staff for the last day of strike action. After two rock-solid 48 hour strikes, National Express East Anglia must have recognised just how angry staff are at the company’s failure to make any significant moves on pay and conditions. With TSSA joining strike action in the last 48-hour strike the company was looking at a total lockdown of services right across the franchise after NXEA managed to alienate their entire workforce. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that nobody should be in any doubt that the improved offer had been won due to the commitment and determination of RMT members on National Express East Anglia to secure a fair deal. “It’s their sacrifice over the past three weeks that has forced the company’s hand and they can be proud of what they have achieved. “It’s just unfortunate for both staff and the travelling public that it’s taken strike action to push the negotiations forward,” Bob said. Rail workers and passengers alike were made aware by the union that National Express had made nearly half a billion in profits out of their rail operations in the past ten years and have soaked up £2.5 billion in public subsidies over the same period. “It’s no wonder our members are refusing to take a hit on pay and conditions when they see those numbers up in lights and we have fought to get that important message across to the public and have received many messages of support. “The company thought they could jack up fares and jack down wages and conditions without anyone batting an eyelid. “RMT members have shown again that working people do not have to be the victims of an economic crisis created by the politicians and bankers and that if we stand strong and united we can win,” Bob said. National Express has defaulted on its East Coast Main Line franchise and it remains unclear if it will lose its East Anglia and c2c franchises as it should do under ‘cross-fault’ franchise rules. RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: september 2009 :: RMTnews 5 Solidarity from Scotland: Richie Veitch and Nigel Ross from Edinburgh No.1 and Portobello district branch went down to support brothers and sisters on the picket line at Norwich station during strike action at National Express East Anglia. The two reps said that it was a good day out and it showed how strong the solidarity is amongst RMT members. Branch secretary Andy King said that it was excellent to see National Express staff from Scotland coming down to support. “It just goes to show that we all want the same thing, one employer and one railway,” he said. SOLIDARITY WINS AT NATIONAL EXPRESS EAST ANGLIA RMT wins improved pay and conditions for members working across the franchise after three 48-hour strikes