NORTHERN RAIL VICTORY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may 2016 :: RMTnews 7 F ollowing rock solid strike action by members in the Northern Rail customer relations department, the company has agreed to secure jobs for those affected. Last year twelve members simultaneously faced a hugely increased workload and being downgraded by two grades. Despite their own salaries being protected by P,T,R&R, the members proceeded with the action in defence of their future colleagues. Following strike action RMT discovered that plans were in progress to outsource the department completely by TUPE transferring the roles to Carillion at the point of franchise transfer instead of them being part of Arriva Rail North. This was intended to be kept secret until the last minute but an eagle eyed RMT member spotted an advertisement for positions in Sheffield within Carillion to provide customer relations work for Arriva Rail North. This extra time allowed RMT to enter successful discussions to secure options of redeployment in order that members may continue working within the train operating company. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that he wished to place on record on behalf of the entire union its recognition of the fortitude of these members. “Their tireless resilience alongside sterling work from regional organiser Micky Thompson and local rep Andy Tallon has turned potential sackings into a victory,” he said. Around 1,500 Tube Lines maintenance and engineering staff are being balloted for strike action over Night Tube pay and pensions. The dispute is over the company’s refusal to discuss pension issues until after the eventual launch of the Night Tube operation. There are also major unresolved issues over Night Tube staffing arrangements and a threat to undermine PRP agreements through Tube Lines refusing to base budgets on the negotiated levels of Performance Related Pay. The key issues at the heart of the dispute include the fact that there are some important differences between the London Underground offer and the Tube Lines offer which are unacceptable to RMT. The wording in the LUL offer refers to an “all-night passenger service operation on a Friday and Saturday night”, whereas the Tube Lines offer refers to “a 24-hour passenger service operation”. RMT Reps have sought clarification on this point and management admitted that acceptance would mean agreeing to the principle of 24-hour running any night – this could mean running more than two nights at Bank Holidays or special events. LUL has also recruited more staff where additional resources are needed but Tube Lines has said that all staff have to work on Night Tube and all rosters will be changed to reflect this: “Full implementation of the Sunday to Thursday rosters to support Night Tube Operations”. Tube Lines came under the umbrella of TfL in 2011 and RMT reps have been demanding that former Tube Lines employees be given the same pension and travel rights as other LUL employees. However Tube Lines is demanding that a no-strike clause be added to any agreement. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that members were furious at the cynical way that Tube Lines had attempted to tie in attacks on pensions with the offer on Pay and Night Tube and over a thousand safety-critical staff had unanimously thrown the whole package out. “There are also major unresolved issues over the Tube Lines staffing arrangements for the Night Tube. “It is absolutely essential now that there is the earliest possible resumption of serious and meaningful talks on these issues and the union is ready to engage in those talks,” he said NORTHERN RAIL VICTORY TUBE LINES BALLOT FOR ACTION