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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2019 :: RMTnews
7
R
MT has secured a major
pay victory for members
working on the DHL Virgin
West Coast Mainline contract
which will see the entire
workforce lifted on to a living
wage.
The new pay deal means
that some staff will see their
wages rise by over 21 per cent
and a new base line level
ensures that the DHL workers
will be guaranteed a minimum
rate of £10.55 in London and
£9.20 outside of London.
RMT said that the pay
breakthrough proved that
outsourced workers, when
organised into a militant,
industrial trade union, can win
major victories. The union
believes that the 21 per cent
increase in pay for the
potwasher grade is the biggest
single rise in earnings secured
by any trade union for any
group of workers anywhere in
the country in the current
climate.
Other groups of workers on
the team will see their pay rise
by nearly 19 per cent as they
are lifted onto the new
minimum rates agreed with the
union.
RMT general secretary Mick
Cash said that this was a
massive pay victory for our
members employed by DHL on
the Virgin West Coast Trains
contract engaged in catering
stores and supplies logistics for
Virgin Trains.
“RMT has achieved a
significant breakthrough here,
our members showed a
steadfast resolve in trying to
achieve a better deal voting
overwhelmingly for strike
action in an attempt to get a
better pay offer.
“RMT is pleased it didn't
come to that but with a solid
ballot result behind us for
action RMT organisation,
determination and serious
negotiation has delivered
results for this important group
of workers.
“It's a huge win for our
members – some of the lowest
paid in London now move up
to the real living wage from
April - outside London we
move beyond the real living
wage. RMT had also been
involved in an important grade
restructuring that simplifies
negotiations on pay going
forward and recognises
additional responsibilities and
roles.
“RMT Euston branch
secretary Kathy Mazur and
RMT lead Staff rep Mustapha
Kassim – working with regional
organiser Craig Johnson -
played a key role in securing
the deal that the union believes
is ground breaking and sets a
new standard for rates of pay
for staff whose roles have been
contracted out.
“The solid strike mandate we
had behind us was the
foundation of our campaign for
better wages for these low paid
staff and gave us the leverage
to secure huge improvements
through serious negotiations
with the company.
“This stunning deal sets a
benchmark now for the whole
outsourcing industry,” he said.
OVER 21 PER CENT
PAY VICTORY FOR
DHL WORKERS