STRIKE ACTION AND BALLOT AT TPE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january/february 2024 :: RMTnews 7 P lanned strike action by low paid RMT train cleaners employed by contractor Bidvest Noonan to clean TransPennine Express (TPE) trains has been suspended following an improved offer. A referendum has been organised on the offer backdated to last April which includes reaching the living wage this year, duty and leisure passes after a 12-week probationary period as opposed to a year and access to rover family tickets which equate to 50 tickets per year which could present savings of up to £1,000 against full fare travel. The company has also committed to meaningful talks with a view to developing a roadmap to £15 per hour. Contracted out caterers working on TPE services are also being balloted for strike action after a leading Rail Gourmet rep Jamie Reid was sacked following a successful pay dispute that won a pay increase of 20 per cent has also been sacked on trumped up charges. As a result the union is conducting a ballot so if you are a TPE Rail Gourmet member ensure that your job title, address or workplace has recently changed, please contact the RMT Helpline by Email at info@rmt.org.uk; alternatively, you can call the RMT Freephone Helpline number on 0800 376 3706, the RMT switchboard on 0207 387 4771 and ask to speak to the Industrial Relations Department. R MT is pushing for a protective award for RMT members made redundant at the TXM after the company went into liquidation. The union has been in contact with TXM Plant’s administrators to understand what steps are being taken to find a new buyer, or funding for the company. However, as the workforce were not consulted properly and only given statutory redundancy payments, RMT is now seeking a protective award for all its members. If successful, it means workers could get eight weeks extra wages on top of the statutory minimum they will be paid. The Wigan-based supplier of road-rail vehicles was part- owned by private equity investor LDC and until recently had been making profits of £4 million on turnover of £38.9 million. RMT argues that the proposed government cuts to funding for maintenance renewals has a direct impact on the Network Rail supply chain which TXM was part of. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the way these workers were being treated was a total disgrace. "The company hid the fact they were in financial difficulty and failed to consult our members despite the fact they were obligated to consult the recognised trade unions on prospect of redundancies. "With private investors grabbing what they can and running out the door and government cuts to funding, what we need is a national strategy for proper rail funding and public ownership. "We will pursue this matter legally in order reach a just settlement for our members who have been left without a job through no fault of their own,” he said. R MT members at maintenance depots run by Hitachi rail will strike over five days in row over pay. Strike action will take place at Craigentinny, Bounds Green and Doncaster maintenance depots with members at Outstations and Maintenance Control also taking action. Bosses at Hitachi Rail have only offered six per cent despite the fact that the company made over £100 million in profit last year. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that workers at Hitachi Rail did a range of highly skilled work ensuring that trains and infrastructure are all working properly. "However, bosses at the multi-million-pound company are undervaluing their own staff by being greedy and not offering a decent pay rise. "This sustained action by Hitachi Rail workers will send a clear message to the company that we will not rest until we get a negotiated settlement on pay, that rewards our members sufficiently,” he said. STRIKE AT HITACHI RAIL RMT DEMANDS PROTECTION FOR TXM WORKERS TRANSPENNINE STRIKE SUSPENDED