STIRLING SIGNALLERS STRIKE IN ROSTERS DISPUTE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may/june 2012 :: RMTnews 4 R MT is balloting for both strike action and action short of a strike of Freightliner fitter members at Southampton depot in a dispute over rosters and restructuring. Despite protracted negotiations lasting over a year, Freightliner has now thrown workable proposals to negotiate with the union but also withdrawn their own suggested modified plans and returned to their original restructuring which represents an outright attack on staff working conditions. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that RMT representatives had been negotiating these restructuring proposals with Freightliner for well over a year and just when a resolution appeared achievable, the company withdrew all concessions previously tabled. “Freightliner has conducted itself in a completely disingenuous manner. “It is as a result of the aggressive and underhand tactics of the company that the RMT executive has taken the decision to conduct a ballot of all our members at Southampton for strike action and industrial action short of a strike. “The union is confident that our members will show their strength of feeling to the company by returning a massive yes vote in the ballot for industrial action,” he said. S ignal workers in the Stirling area in Scotland took rock solid strike action in a dispute over rosters in early May with more action planned for the end of the month after voting 100 per cent for industrial action. Pickets were out in force for the latest 24 hours of strike action on May 10 2012. RMT has for some time been trying to negotiate 12-hour rosters for signallers in the Stirling area. The company initially declined the union’s request claiming that there was no desire to introduce 12-hour shifts amongst the workforce. In order to prove that the company claims were false, RMT conducted a referendum which resulted in an overwhelming 15 to 1 vote in favour of the proposal. Unable to argue a lack of support for union proposals, Network Rail started makng bogus claims of additional cost. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said:"Our members are rock solid in support of the second wave of action today and pickets are out in force sending a clear message to the employers that RMT is determined to win this fight. “RMT will not allow Network Rail to ride roughshod over the clear democratic will of our members to improve the quality of their work/life balance. “Although management has so far refused to budge they cannot ignore the strength of feeling demonstrated by the second day of action today and RMT remains available for talks aimed at resolving the matter,” he said. R MT is balloting tube cleaners working for ISS and Initial for both strike action and action short of a strike in disputes over pay, pensions and benefits. RMT is demanding that the cleaners, who do some of the dirtiest jobs often in appalling conditions to keep the tube running, should receive a substantial, above inflation pay increase and an Olympic Bonus in line with the payments offered to LOROL staff. The union is also demanding a sick-pay scheme, free travel passes and improvements to the pension scheme Despite attempts to resolve these issues with the companies through negotiations both ISS and Initial have failed to come up with offers that reward the tube cleaners with pay, pensions and working conditions that reflect the crucial role that they play in delivering a clean and safe tube environment. RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said that RMT was determined to secure a fair deal for cleaner members. “These staff are an integral part of the London Underground team and should be properly rewarded as such and not just seen as a money-making tool to be exploited for every last penny in the interest of private profits. “In the run up to the Olympics it is simply scandalous that the staff who will be keeping the transport system clean for the millions of visitors to the city are being treated like dirt. “RMT urges Londoners to back this campaign for justice for our cleaners and join us in forcing the Mayor and London Underground to drag ISS and Initial back to the negotiating table to resolve these disputes,” he said. STIRLING SIGNALLERS STRIKE IN ROSTERS DISPUTE TUBE CLEANERS BALLOTED FOR STRIKE ACTION FREIGHTLINER STRIKE BALLOT OVER ROSTERS AND RESTRUCTURING MEETING: Stirling signallers discuss tactics