RMT rejects 5.2% pay offer for Network Rail operational staff and calls for further talks to improve deal

www.rmt.org.uk

NEWS RELEASE

December 22 2010
Immediate


RMT rejects 5.2% pay offer for Network Rail operational staff and calls for further talks to improve deal


RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it has rejected a no-strings offer of 5.2% for Network Rail operations and customer services staff next year, plus RPI in 2012, and is holding further talks on improving the package next month.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“With VAT going up to 20% in January, power and other utilities bills going through the roof and expectations that inflation will continue to rise we are looking to make sure that we achieve a pay deal for Network Rail operational and customer services staff that protects and improves their standards of living in this time of economic and political instability.

“We hear daily about groups of workers who are being told to accept job cuts and the undermining of their pay and conditions and as far as RMT is concerned that is the point at which a strong trade union steps up to the plate to fight for its members interests.

“The turmoil on the railways in recent weeks has illustrated yet again the importance of having adequate numbers of well-trained and properly rewarded staff to cope with whatever is thrown at us.

“We will head back into talks with Network Rail early in the New Year with every intention of securing a pay deal for our members that fully recognises the vital contribution that they make to safe and secure rail travel in this country day in and day out.”