HEATHROW EXPRESS MEMBERS TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION

M ore than 300 RMT members at Heathrow Express (HEX) are taking further strike action in late June after voting overwhelming for action in a dispute over pay. The union has raised serious safety fears over a strike- breaking operation that Heathrow Express are attempting to put in place which includes managers driving trains and taking on other safety critical roles with what the union believes is wholly inadequate training. RMT has raised specific concerns with the Office of Rail Regulation, including the staffing of the joint HEX/LUL operations on the Piccadilly Line into Terminal 5 at Healthrow, where the union has reason to believe that public safety is being compromised. Heathrow Express has also made an unprecedented attempt to persuade other train operators to “lend” them drivers - regardless of the specific training requirements for their trains and route - and have also tried to get First Great Western staff to assist with their dispatch operations in a desperate PR bid to keep some services running. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that instead of resorting to increasingly desperate moves to keep a few trains running for the benefit of the media, the company should work out a pay deal that fully rewarded staff for their hard work which has generated company profits of over £6 million on a turnover of £60 million. “The company knows it has tabled a completely unacceptable pay offer that is loaded with strings, yet despite a massive vote for action by our members it has made no attempt to negotiate or improve its position. “We are ready to negotiate seriously to put in place a fair pay package that will take us through the Olympics period and recognises the contribution our members make to delivering a highly successful and profitable service, and we need the company to show the same commitment,” he said. HEATHROW EXPRESS MEMBERS TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2011 :: RMTnews 6