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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2015 :: RMTnews 8 N etwork Rail chief Mark Carne has said that unsafe working practices were causing “appalling tragedies” and hundreds of casualties each year. Three workers were killed and 122 suffered major injuries in 2013-14 working on the railway infrastructure, according to Network Rail figures, and Mr Carne admits that injuries on the railways running at ten times comparable industries. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the figures were “an appalling indictment” and Mr Carne should ensure that Network Rail brought all works back in house and improved pay and conditions "RMT has warned repeatedly that the safety culture on Network Rail has been diluted by savage cuts to staffing and the proliferation of agencies and contractors which has led to casualisation of safety critical work and a surge in staff on zero hours contracts. “Those warnings have come home to roost with a vengeance in these shocking figures. "It is all very well Mark Carne admitting that injuries among our members are running at ten times the level of comparable heavy industries. “ But that is an appalling indictment on NR and the question is what is he going to do about it? "For starters he needs to halt the cuts and end the fragmentation and casualisation by bringing all works back in house. "Secondly he needs to show that NR value their staff by maintaining and improving pay and conditions right across the network. "Failure to address those issues will result in a continuation of the current appalling tide of accidents and injuries which are threatening our members’ lives on a daily basis," he said. Mr Carne, who became chief executive of Network Rail a year ago after joining from the oil industry, said that rail had failed to keep pace with other sectors R MT is sending referendum ballot papers to Network Rail members in Operations, Maintenance, Customer Services and associated grades over what the company claims is its final pay offer. The union is recommending that members vote NO to reject the proposals which are summarised as follows. • 2015 - No increase in pay. • 2016, 2017, 2018 - An RPI level of inflation increase in pay would be applied for each year. • “No Compulsory Redundancy” commitment extended until December 31 2015. • A 33 per cent reduction in off peak travel for employees, friends and family. 17,000 RMT members will be balloted in all areas of Network Rail in the referendum and the union has made it clear that if members reject the offer RMT will automatically be placed in dispute with Network Rail and the workforce will then be balloted for industrial action. The referendum will close on March 24 2015 RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said that as far as the union concerned no pay rise in 2015 is a pay cut as it means that members pay will not keep up with the cost of living. “The travel offer we have received is nothing more than a card that can be purchased by any member of the travelling public, falling well short of our demand of free travel for all. In addition, we are extremely concerned that the ‘No Compulsory Redundancy’ commitment only applies to the first year of the four year deal. “RMT is in no doubt that this leaves Operations and Maintenance members extremely vulnerable, especially with the continued development of Rail Operating Centres and the on-going cuts programme at Network Rail. “Having discussed this proposal with reps from across the country, RMT is strongly recommending members vote NO to reject this offer – a vote that would automatically place us in dispute and which would trigger a full, national industrial action ballot. “RMT remains available for talks and we hope that the company will appreciate the anger amongst staff at the current offer on pay and conditions from Network Rail and that they will agree to our call to come back to the table with an improved package.” SAY NO! TO NETWORK RAIL OFFER NETWORK RAIL BOSS ATTACKS INDUSTRY SAFETY RECORD