A CHARTER FOR ENGINEERING

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2016 :: RMTnews 7 The privatisation and break-up of the railways has brought massive change in the Fleet Engineering sector in the rail industry. Where once there was central bargaining for standard pay and conditions RMT now negotiates with hundreds of employers, all of whom want to get as much as they can out of their staff as possible. Thousands of jobs have been stripped out and demarcation lines eroded. For train maintenance depots, the fragmentation has resulted in vastly differing pay rates and conditions. But RMT – the only union that unites all rail workers – has managed to maintain the fight for better pay and conditions, good pensions and safety. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said where the union was well-organised it hasmade great strides but more had to be done. “RMT's strength is that it is an industrial union, uniting people in all grades, in every depot: skilled fitters, electricians and technicians, cleaners, shunters and depot drivers, clerical staff, supervisors and team leaders. “RMT seeks to bring all workers in the Fleet Engineering sector under the umbrella of a well organised, strong and powerful union. “In this pamphlet we set out the RMT’s agenda and programme for the Fleet Engineering sector that we can take forward with all of the rail companies. “The first step towards bringing this charter to reality is to ensure that every depot worker becomes an RMT member with solid organisation in every workplace. “Organised workplaces with the membership actively supporting the union’s agenda win better deals for every Fleet Engineering worker,” he said. RMT believes that pay claims must reflect demands for the entire sector. Therefore the union is demanding inclusive basic salaries for workers on all shift patterns which do not vary enormously with every minor roster change. RMT is also demanding final salary pension schemes, no 'annualised hours', paid meal and rest breaks and a reduction of the working week to 32 hours. As well as travel facilities for all staff, annual leave should not be less than 34 days and a minimum 32-hour rest period between shifts working towards 48-hours between blocks of shifts. There are many more demands and aspirations in the charter which is available from Unity House and on the RMT website. A CHARTER FOR ENGINEERING Engineering grades produce charter for the industry outlining what they have got and what they want