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Thursday 22 Jun 2006

SUNDAY'S RAIL STRIKE SUSPENDED, BUT RMT TO CONDUCT NEW REFERENDUM ON PAY DEAL

Region & Route:

National

Today, Network Rail received notification from the RMT that the strike that was due to begin on Sunday 25 June has been suspended. But the RMT also announced that it will conduct a referendum of its members on the revised offer, which was negotiated last week, with a recommendation that it should be rejected. The referendum will close on Thursday 29 June. In response, Network Rail Chief Executive, John Armitt, said: “We are disappointed that the RMT representatives within Network Rail have decided not to support the pay deal, which the trade union and Network Rail negotiated last week.  And we are dismayed that they will now encourage members to vote against the deal, continuing the dispute and the threat of strike action. “We believe that the deal – our fourth compromise offer – is a generous one, which includes everything the RMT’s Executive asked for: a shorter-term deal; the bringing forward of the 35-hour working week; and lump sum payments rolled into the base rate, making them pensionable.   Our people know the facts and we await the outcome of the forthcoming referendum.” The pay offer on which RMT members will be balloted – Network Rail’s fourth compromise offer – includes:

• A rise of 3.2% in year 1
• A rise of RPI + 0.75% in year 2
• An earlier introduction of the 35-hour working week
• A significant increase in travel subsides
• An increase in London allowances