EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT AS THE RMT BREAKS OFF DISCUSSIONS

Friday 18 Jul 2008

EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT AS THE RMT BREAKS OFF DISCUSSIONS

Region & Route:: National

Peter Bennett, Human Resources Director, said: “We are extremely disappointed with this unexpected news. Since the first maintenance strike in June, we have met on 10 occasions and had productive talks on an extremely complex issue. We had believed that good progress was being made, against an agreement with the RMT to “keeping talking until the end of July.

"Currently, the RMT is seeking changes that would increase our salary bill by £100m or 25%, whilst offering nothing in return. This is something that Network Rail cannot afford.

"We have full and thorough contingency plans and – as with the last strike – we do not expect any impact on passenger and freight users. A full normal timetable will run over the course of the strike weekend."

Notes to editors

Since the last maintenance strike on the 14 / 15 June, Network Rail and the RMT have met on the following occasions to discuss this issue and make progress on finding a resolution: 19th June National Maintenance Council 30th June Staff Side 1st July Joint Working Party (JWP) 2nd July JWP 3rd July JWP 9th July Staff Side 10th July JWP 16th July JWP 17th July JWP 18th July Meeting of Area Council Chairs & Secretaries The following dates were also in the diary to make sure as much time as possible was put aside to talks on this issue before the RMT’s "end of July" deadline. 24th July Staff Side 25th July JWP 26th July JWP 28th July JWP 29th July JWP 30th July National Maintenance Council 31st July Meeting of Area Council Chairs & Secretaries

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