BALLOTS AT BALFOUR BEATTY AND ALSTOM

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2022 :: RMTnews 6 RMT is balloting Alstom Transport members on several fleet maintenance contracts following the refusal of the company to offer an acceptable pay award as part of the 2022 pay negotiations on the following contracts: • Aventura Contract (Ilford, Old Oak Common & Willesden Depots) • Heavy Maintenance Contract (Ilford Depot) • Avanti West Coast Contract The company has only tabled a derisory offer of four per cent increase applicable from last April while members have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to maintain operations in often difficult circumstances contributing to strong performance levels for the company. Whilst the company’s intransigence on pay is bad enough it is more galling for members struggling with a crippling cost-of-living crisis to learn from its latest accounts that Alstom continues its financial success story: • Company turnover was £442.2 million in its latest accounts • Total Equity increased to £360.5 million an increase of £9.9 million on the year previous • In 2021/22 Alstom’s CEO and chair was awarded remuneration worth £1.8 million. • In addition, performance shares were granted during the year worth £2 million. • Dividends of £58 million were paid during this period, an increase of £10 million on the previous year a £48 million increase or 480 per cent. BALFOUR BEATTY The union is also balloting Balfour Beatty Rail Plant members working on infrastructure contracts following a derisory five per cent offer which was resoundingly rejected by RMT members: This low pay offer is all the more galling for members struggling with a crippling cost-of-living crisis to learn that Balfour Beatty continues its financial success story. • The company’s latest accounts show that during this period the company’s revenue was £8.26 billion. Profit for the year was £139 million an increase of £109 million on the previous year or 363 per cent. • The highest paid Director received total pay and benefits of nearly £3m an increase of nearly £700,000 on the previous year or 31 per cent. • During the year £29 million was paid out to shareholders. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the union was determined to achieve a just and fair award for its members and it is obvious that from the above that it is easily affordable for the company. “Unfortunately, these contractors have chosen to ignore these facts and RMT has no other option to proceed with a ballot to protect your interests,” he told members. BALLOTS AT BALFOUR BEATTY AND ALSTOM Union calls for a yes vote for industrial action against low pay at the two contractors