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Tuesday 25 May 2004

NETWORK RAIL AND UNIONS REOPEN PAY TALKS

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National

Network Rail and its trades unions today announced that they were reopening talks aimed at averting industrial action. The talks will take place at Network Rail’s London headquarters on Friday morning, 28 May.  These discussions will start a series of talks that are expected to be continued in the following week. John Armitt, Chief Executive, said: “This is a welcome move as the company works with the unions to avert damaging industrial action.” - ends - Notes for editors: Full ballot results: Signalling and operations - 75% turnout, yes = 1799 or 50.8%, no  = 1743 Maintenance workers -  53% turnout, yes = 1148 or 69.5%, no  = 503 Pay deals on offer: One year deal:              Yr 1 = 3.0%                  (original offer was 2.8%) Two year deal:             Yr 1 = 3.5%                  (original offer was 3.0%)                         Yr 2 = RPI +0.75%       (original offer RPI+0.5%) Three year deal:            Yr 1 = 3.2%                  (not originally offered)                                     Yr 2 = RPI                                     Yr 3 = RPI + 35 hr week ·         In the last four years, signallers have had increases of 10% in 2000, 12% in ’01, 11% in ’02 and 4% in ’03 AND a decrease in the number of hours worked per week ·         Since 1994 the basic pay of signallers has risen by 72% (RPI ave 2.6% per annum) ·         Signallers average earnings are now = £32,500 ·         RMT have already accepted pay offers from Silverlink at 2.8%, Alstom at 3%, South Eastern Trains at 3.3%, Balfour Beatty at 3%, AMEC Spie at 3% and Bombardier at 3%. For media enquiries please contact the Network Rail press office on 020 7557 8292 / 3