NO TO HYDREX SELL-OFF

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2012 :: RMTnews 7 R MT called on Network Rail to abandon plans to sell off plant division Hydrex, warning that the re-privatisation of the operation that NR had to rescue from bankruptcy only months ago, would place hundreds of essential, skilled jobs at the heart of the rail industry at risk again. Hydrex is the largest provider of road-rail vehicles to the rail industry and a key supplier to Network Rail and its infrastructure contractors. Network Rail Infrastructure acquired the rail division of Hydrex Equipment Ltd from administrators KPMG to ensure the continuity of construction work. RMT called on Network Rail to keep the Hydrex skills, organisation and workforce in house in light of the previous private sector failure The plan to jump back into further fragmentation and destabilisation would be of no benefit to the workforce or the industry. RMT has written to Network Rail Chief David Higgins to ask him to reverse the decision. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the union intended to use every tool to persuade Network Rail to call off its plans to throw workers back out to the mercy of the private sector. “Network Rail did the right thing in November last year when it bought the collapsed Hydrex from the administrators to save over 500 jobs and to bring a core aspect of NR’s business in house. “To risk an action replay of that catastrophic private sector failure, just a few months later, makes no operational or business sense whatsoever and simply destabilises a key area of rail activity with the associated threat to jobs and working conditions as the same old gang of spivs and chancers who failed before move back into the frame,” he said. R MT has reached a settlement in a long- running dispute over career progression at the West of Scotland signalling centre following a campaign of industrial action which has seen services severely disrupted in a series of rock- solid strikes since last Christmas. Discussions and negotiations with the union have been ongoing since management decided to ignore a long term custom-and- practice arrangement at West of Scotland Signalling Centre concerning the filling of vacancies. As a result of those negotiations a form of words has now finally been agreed and signed off between RMT and Network Rail management which has resolved the dispute. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the negotiated settlement had only been possible as a result of the determination and solidarity shown by RMT members at the West of Scotland Signalling Centre. “RMT members have stood together during this difficult period to demonstrate to management in the strongest possible terms that they will not accept blatant disregard for a long agreement over the application of career progression agreements. “The whole union applauds our members for supporting the massively successful, rock solid strike action which has forced management to hold serious and meaningful negotiations with RMT to resolve the issue,” he said. NO TO HYDREX SELL-OFF RMT SECURES VICTORY IN SCOTTISH SIGNALLERS’ DISPUTE