HEATHROW EXPRESS WIN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2011 :: RMTnews 4 RMT members working at Heathrow Express voted overwhelmingly for an improved offer from the company after taking rock solid 48 hour strike that forced the total closure of the Heathrow Connect service. The union suspended further strike action and an overtime ban to allow for the referendum ballot of members on the improved offer. RMT represents the vast majority of staff at Heathrow Express across all grades and they had given the union an overwhelming mandate for strike action, on a huge turnout, in response to a company pay offer that fell well short of current RPI inflation and was loaded with strings. Members backed a two-year deal which included a 4.9 per cent increase effective January 2011 with pension contributions amended accordingly and an increase of RPI plus 0.6 per cent or a minimum increase of 3.5 per cent in year two. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that HEX members deserved an offer for their hard work which had generated company profits of over £6 million on a turnover of £60 million. “RMT was always ready to negotiate seriously to put in place a fair pay package that will take us through the Olympics period and recognised the contribution our members make to delivering a highly successful and profitable service,” he said. R MT train cleaning crews employed by the Mitie company and servicing First Great Western trains voted overwhelmingly to accept an improved pay offer following the threat of strike action. The entire workforce on the contract was balloted in a long-running dispute over pensions, payment of wages and a failure to communicate. Cardiff and Swansea train cleaners’ had already taken three days of 24 hour strike action in the fight for dignity at work. Further strike action was suspended pending talks and a referendum of members which accepted a three per cent increase backdated to April 2010 this year, a 3.5 per cent increase backdated to April 2011 and a three per cent increase effective April 2012. In addition to the pay increase, management agreed to withdraw any proposals to move members from two- weekly paid to monthly paid. This would also put all new starters employed since the TUPE from ISS to Mitie from the beginning of the contract onto two-weekly pay. The agreement is the first pay increase that the union has won on this contract and it will lift members’ pay above the National Minimum Wage. Mitie recently announced a massive 13 per cent jump in profits and the company brands itself as an “outsourcing specialist” mopping up facilities contracts in both the private and public sectors. Yet it had only originally offered 1.25 per cent pay rise for 2010 and no more than one per cent from April next year. RMT general secretary Bob Crow congratulated the members for their resolve and continuing support during long and difficult negotiations. “RMT representatives should also be congratulated for their commitment and hard work shown in negotiating the offer,” he said. HEATHROW EXPRESS WIN MITIE PAY VICTORY