NETWORK RAIL STATEMENT ON RMT STRIKE BALLOT

Tuesday 13 Apr 2004

NETWORK RAIL STATEMENT ON RMT STRIKE BALLOT

Region & Route:: National

Network Rail today expressed its deep disappointment at the RMT’s announcement that it would be balloting its members for possible industrial action, calling the move “premature and unnecessary”. Network Rail has already put three inflation-breaking deals on the table. The company would not like to see the RMT executive deny its membership the opportunity to vote on these deals. John Armitt, Chief Executive said: “There is no need for the RMT to ballot its members on possible industrial action. We’d like to see the membership balloted on the details of our various offers including a 3.5% deal. This decision by the RMT leadership to talk of strike action is premature and unnecessary. “Strike action would be deeply damaging to the railway as a whole and very disruptive for passengers. We have a set budget to rebuild the railway and we have to make tough choices on where our limited resources are spent. Strike action is not the way to resolve disputes in 2004.”

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