BALFOUR BEATTY STRIKE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2023 :: RMTnews 8 R MT members at Balfour Beatty Central Rail Systems Alliance (CRSA) have been taking industrial action this month after the company has continued to refuse to offer an acceptable pay award as part of the 2022 pay negotiations. RMT representatives have for several months now been pressing the company to negotiate regarding a sensible agreement regarding the outstanding pay claim at a time when 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 with profits of £139 million, an increase of £109 million on the previous year or 363 per cent and £29 million was paid out to shareholders. The highest paid Director received total pay and benefits of nearly £3 million an increase of nearly £700,000 on the previous year or 31 per cent. RMT is 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, the company has chosen to ignore these facts and RMT has no other option to proceed with a ballot to protect your interests. RMT remains available for negotiations at any stage to resolve this dispute, but it demands fair pay for CRSA members. C ontracted out staff working for ISS on the Docklands Light Railway took 48 hours strike action last month. Cleaners, security, revenue protection and travel safe staff will walk out after rejecting an insulting pay offer of less than two per cent. RMT which represents the workers highlighted the fact ISS staff on the DLR are underpaid compared to others on TfL performing equivalent roles. On top of poor pay, ISS staff have so far not been told whether they will get access to the free travel facility. This is despite the fact London Mayor Sadiq Khan having already promised all contracted out staff would get free travel across Transport for London. RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said that the level arrogance on display from ISS was staggering. “This multi-million pound company already pays staff poorly and with inflation running at over 10 per cent, an offer of 1.8 per cent revealed what contempt they hold their staff in. “RMT will be relentless in its representation of contracted out workers who are some of the most exploited in the transport system. “This strike action is a demonstration of the strength of our members resolve to win pay justice. “Ultimately Mayor Sadiq Khan needs to end the injustice of exploitation of contracted out staff by bringing these workers back in house as soon as possible,” he said. BALFOUR BEATTY STRIKE CONTRACTED OUT DLR STAFF STRIKE Preston picket