SIGNALLERS STAND FIRM

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: march 2010 :: RMTnews 7 The union’s annual signalling grades conference, held in Stoke, passed resolutions condemning the attacks on the Promotion, Transfer, Redundancy and Resettlement (PTR&R) agreement and pledged action to defend it. The strike ballot, which is also over the imposition of rosters and management plans to end detonator protection for T3 possessions, ends on March 19 and could see the first national signallers strike since 1994. Delegates heard RMT general secretary Bob Crow explain how the PTR&R agreement, which has been in place for decades, provides security and recompense for Network Rail workers who are forced to take another job or relocate to another area. Under PTR&R if a signaller is made redundant they are given the opportunity to go for any vacancy in that position, said Bob. If it’s on a lower grade then they are guaranteed the same pay until a job at their previous grade arises. Among other things they are also paid their travel and resettlement costs. Alan Tyrrell, RMT council of executives, said: “The fact of the matter is management would like to rip your contract up. That’s the basic tenet of this. “They’d like to give you a sheet of blank paper with your name on and basically that would be your contract of employment.” “What they’re saying is: ‘Do as you’re told, roll over, get your belly tickled, and if you’re not happy with it, sod off!’,” he said. Alan said that Network Rail bosses are intent on removing experienced workers who were employed under British Rail and replacing them with new recruits who they believe are more likely to toe the management line. “They want them out. They want new people in. They want people who will do as they’re told,” he added. “Without the PTR&R they will ride roughshod over you”. Ann Joss, Aberdeen No1, told delegates that a good deal had been won on PTR&R in Scotland in 2008 but it remained vital for these safeguards to be extended to the rest of the country. “That’s what we have to aim for, so that everybody has got what we have achieved in Scotland. I can promise you Scotland will support you on this issue,” she said. Ann joined other delegates in stressing that the issue had to be clearly explained to signalling colleagues, as management will exploit any ignorance as to what PTR&R actually is. “Educate every single member out there. Even if you have to tell them 100 times. And give management a good kicking on this issue. Because up until now they think we’re frightened of it and they are using our lack of knowledge as a little tool against us”. Ian Waggot, Worcetser No1, warned that failing to explain the issue fully to members risked defeat at the ballot box. “There are still a lot of people on the railway who don’t know what PTR&R is and are under the impression that it doesn’t affect them. We need to get through how important this is to people.” Tim Breed, North Staffs, said it was important to understand the link between PTR&R and the imposition of rosters. “We will lose hundreds of jobs - and then PTR&R will come into play. That correlation needs explaining,” he said. Dave Gott, Bassetlaw, said: “The message we’ve got to get out there is that this isn’t about getting more pay or better conditions, this is about keeping what we already have.” Mark Beresford, Bedlington, said: “If we lose this one then we’re at risk of losing just about everything.” a full report of this conference will appear in the next edition of RMT News. SIGNALLERS STAND FIRM Webcast To view an archived webcast of this conference visit www.rmt.org.uk/members Signallers grades conference meets in Stoke as members are balloted for strike action