NEW STRIKE DATES ANNOUNCED

Wednesday 12 Jul 2006

NEW STRIKE DATES ANNOUNCED

Region & Route:: National

Responding to the announcement by the RMT trade union of new dates for a national rail strike, Network Rail Chief Executive, John Armitt, said: “We are extremely disappointed by the RMT’s decision, which means we are now facing a rail strike that will cause disruption for millions of people. “We have worked very hard to avert industrial action – negotiating over many months, making numerous compromises and offering a deal, which the RMT Executive described as ‘one of the best in the industry’.” Network Rail and the RMT’s Executive agreed a settlement on 14 June, which the Executive said it would recommend to its members. But, following a meeting of the RMT’s representatives, the Executive called a referendum on the offer, recommending that its members vote against it. Members voted by a narrow margin to reject the deal in a ballot that closed on 29 June. Further informal talks yesterday again ended without agreement. The company was unable to meet the union’s demand for a further substantial increase on top of the £2,500 per head raise already on offer. Today, the RMT announced new strike dates. John Armitt added: “We are striving for a railway that is affordable to passengers and offers value for money to the British taxpayer. We urge the RMT to accept that we have offered the best deal we can and that this is the end of the line for negotiations.” Alongside the pay negotiations, Network Rail has been making robust contingency plans to deal with the effects of a strike. John Armitt said: “Sadly, we must now ask people to prepare for industrial action. On strike days we will do our best to run as many services as possible. Over the coming days we will work with our partners, the train operating companies, to put in place a strike timetable and we will make this available as soon as possible.” The first 24-hour stoppage will take place on Friday 21 July, starting at noon. The second stoppage for 48 hours will take place from noon on Thursday 27 July until noon Saturday 29 July. In due course a strike timetable will be made available, and passengers will be able to access information through National Rail Enquiries, by calling 08457 48 49 50 and by logging on to www.nationalrail.co.uk. Network Rail will also work with the train operating companies to ensure as much information as possible can be made available at stations and on individual operator’s websites.

Notes to editors

The dispute is about the pay settlement for staff in Network Rail’s operations and customer services, projects and engineering and support functions Network Rail has been negotiating with the trades unions on this pay settlement since 13 February 2006 A settlement was agreed with the RMT’s executive on 14 June, which included: · A rise of 3.2% backdated to April 2006 · A rise of RPI + 0.75% from April 2007 · An earlier introduction of the 35-hour working week half-way through year one · A significant increase in travel subsides · An increase in London allowances The deal was hailed by the RMT Executive as ‘one of the best in the industry’ and one they would recommend to their members. But, following a meeting between the executive and the union’s representatives within Network Rail on 22 June, the executive ceased to support the deal and called a referendum recommending that RMT members vote to reject it 2,688 RMT members voted in the referendum out of a possible 4,800 – a turnout of 56% Of those who voted, 1,496 (55.7%) voted to reject the offer and 1,190 (44.3%) voted to accept it Further talks have taken place this week, but have ended without agreement Network Rail will work with the individual train and freight operating companies to put in place a strike timetable

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