MERSYRAIL AND RMT REACH AGREEMENT

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: april bulletin 1 2020 :: RMTnews 4 L iverpool City Region Combined Authority, Merseyrail and RMT have reached agreement on the release of back-dated pay awards to guards, withheld since the dispute over their roles on the city region’s new trains commenced in April 2017. The agreement was reached during talks over the weekend, brokered by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram. The dispute relates to the role of guards on board the new fleet of trains for the Merseyrail network, which are being purchased by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with an overall investment of half a billion pounds. The first new train arrived in the city region for testing last month. Whilst this announcement does not bring the dispute to an end, all parties remain committed to on-going discussions to resolve the final details. Although an agreement to end the industrial action was reached last year, Merseyrail and RMT are technically still in dispute until the final details of how the trains will be operated are agreed, including sign-off from the Office of Road and Rail regulator. Pay award increases are usually withheld during industrial disputes. However the three parties agreed that the back-pay, which has already been accounted for, would be released earlier than planned so as to alleviate any potential financial hardship that Guards might experience due to the Coronavirus crisis. Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said that Coronavirus posed the greatest health threat in our lifetimes. “People should focus on following the Public Health England advice on minimising the spread of COVID-19. “For many though, there are also issues of financial security too and I don’t want anybody in our region to be worried about their household income, so I am pushing the Government on matters affecting peoples' incomes, such as more support for the self-employed. “Locally we should do all we can to support people, so I am glad that we have been able to come to an agreement that means Merseyrail guards will receive early any back pay owed to them. During these challenging times, it is important that we all pull together and do our bit. I am happy to have helped Merseyrail and the RMT to do that here,” he said. Merseyrail Managing Director Andy Heath said that everyone should recognise the impact that the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic was having on the community. “This includes our Guards and their families. Whilst the current dispute between Merseyrail and the RMT still needs to be resolved, we believe that taking the step of releasing these payments to Guards in their next pay packet is the right thing to do. “In uncertain times, it’s important that we all pull together to keep the City Region’s key workers moving,” he said. RMT regional organiser John Tilley said: that the union was working in strategic collaboration throughout the Rail industry during this crisis. “RMT members are in the front line working to maintain a service across the Nation and the City-Region. It is right that we support them in their efforts. This union welcomes this decision to release back-pay that has been withheld for so long as this will help relieve any financial concerns our members families have at this difficult time,” he said. After a long-running campaign RMT finally reached agreement with Carlisle Support Services Ltd to pay the Living Wage Foundation rate of pay of £9.30 per hour from April to all staff on the Northern Trains Revenue and Gateline contract. The RMT victory will mean a pay uplift to the living wage rate for 380 key rail staff across the whole of the North of England. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that after a long, hard campaign RMT has secured a living wage victory for nearly 400 contacted rail staff across the Nort h that will make a real difference. “These workers are on the front line as we battle to keep essential workers moving around the system in the middle of the coronavirus crisis. It is only right that they are properly protected and rewarded. “I want to pay tribute to our RMT regional organiser John Tilley and his team for securing this important victory at this extremely difficult time. “As far as RMT is concerned the fight for workplace justice, safety and protection continues as usual,” he said. MERSEYRAIL AND RMT REACH AGREEMENT ON BACK-DATED PAY AWARDS FOR GUARDS RMT SECURES MASSIVE LIVING WAGE VICTORY ACROSS THE NORTH