DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY STRIKE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2018 :: RMTnews 6 A ll industrial action in a long running dispute with Arriva Cross Country over rostering has been suspended following significant progress in talks with the company. As a result the company has committed to a trial time enhancement for train managers of 1.8 times the £17.76 Monday-Saturday hourly rate which equates to an hourly rate of £31.97 for all hours worked on a Sunday until May. There will be a formal review prior to the end of May under the auspices of ACAS. This offer would also be in conjunction with a mechanism before asking a manager to work on a train. Previous rock solid strike action had impacted on services from Penzance to Aberdeen and points in between on Britain’s most wide-ranging rail operation. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that it showed yet again what can be achieved when trade union members stand together. “I congratulate our members for standing firm, it was their determination and unity which has secured this breakthrough and ensured Cross Country came back to the table with an improved offer,” he said ARRIVA CROSS COUNTRY DEAL R MT cleaners, security staff and travel safe officers on Docklands Light Railway took a further 48-hour phase of strike action earlier this month over a breakdown in industrial relations. These workers are employed by contractor ISS on the KAD contract. The dispute arose over the failure to hold meaningful pay talks or provide a proper response to the union’s pay claim and the failure to resolve long standing issues. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that members had been forced to take further strike action in a bid to force management to honour agreements, pay staff their contractual hours and give them proper respect and dignity at work. “RMT reps have continually chased management to settle the dispute but the company are blatantly ignoring the union’s concerns. “The fact that the company were prepared to kick back in our faces genuine attempts by the union to resolve the dispute in talks over the past week speaks volumes,” he said. DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY STRIKE R MT is demanding assurances on jobs and services after Stagecoach announced that it was ‘reviewing’ services and flagging up the possible closure of the King’s Lynn depot and the axing of lifeline Norfolk bus routes. More than 100 jobs, and bus services including the Coasthopper, are in the balance after Stagecoach - which runs around 50 vehicles and employs 120 staff - said that it was reviewing its operations in Norfolk in response to the “challenging economic environment.” RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the union was in urgent discussions with Stagecoach after the bombshell announcement which leaves jobs and services in Norfolk hanging by a thread. “It is essential that Norfolk County Council join us in working to protect these lifeline services to thousands of people across their area. “Stagecoach has only operated Norfolk bus services since December 2013 and serious questions need to be asked as to exactly what has gone wrong and why. “RMT’s priority is to protect members and the lifeline services they provide to the local community and the low income, eldery and vulnerable groups without access to a car who would be condemned to transport poverty if routes are axed. “In the wake of the Carillion collapse here we have yet another example of what happens when privatisation and profit is allowed to take priority over public service. “Bus services are already being slashed and axed across the country as private operators cherry-pick profitable routes. “This scandal must end and RMT will continue to fight for accessible bus services for all,” he said. STAGECOACH THREATENS NORFOLK BUS SERVICES