Friday, October 29, 2010

Andy Gilchrist (RMT National Education Officer) is in attendance at Waterloo Branch


Andy Gilchrist (RMT National Education Officer) is attending Waterloo Branch on the 28th November 2010.
Andy will be addressing the Branch on the National Education program for the RMT, and also updating on courses that are available for Representatives at all levels and Branch Officials, and will also be updating the Branch on the future of the Rail Union Learning Program for members that want to attend relevant college Courses.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Rates Of Inflation Circular

Circular No. NP/176/10/MC

12th October 2010

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.

Dear Colleagues,

Inflation Rates Circular

The September rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 12th October 2010. The September 2010 retail prices index rate is 4.6%. This is down from 4.7% in August. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.1%, with no change from August. The next publication date is the 16th November 2010.

The largest downward pressures to the change came from a variety of transport costs:

· air transport where fares fell by 27.8 per cent this year compared with a fall of 23.8 per cent a year ago. The largest downward effects came from long haul and, to a lesser extent, European routes

· fuels and lubricants where prices, overall, fell by 0.8 per cent between August and September this year but rose by 2.3 per cent a year ago, principally reflecting a fall of 1.1 pence per litre in petrol prices this year compared with a rise of 2.4 pence per litre a year ago

· falling second-hand car prices between August and September this year compared with price rises a year ago - there were reports of stock shortages leading to higher prices for second-hand cars during 2009

The largest upward pressures to the change in CPI inflation came from:

· clothing and footwear where prices overall rose by 6.4 per cent this year, a record rise for the August to September period. The largest upward effect came from women’s outerwear where prices rose sharply this year with the 2010 autumn season

· food where the largest upward effects came from meat and fruit. Meat prices rose by 0.3 per cent between August and September this year but fell by 1.2 per cent a year ago. The fall last year was a record for an August to September period. Fruit prices overall fell between August and September this year but by less than a year ago

As you can see the price of daily necessities such as food and clothing continue to rise at an alarming rate.

In pay submissions the RMT will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a much greater rate than inflation and your living standards have suffered as a result.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Friday, October 8, 2010

Referendum Result for Guards SWT (Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2009)

Our Ref: BR2/0001/SWT

11th October 2010

Dear Colleagues,

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2009
SOUTH WEST TRAINS (GUARDS OPTION)

Further to my letter dated 22nd September regarding the above, the referendum has now concluded with the following result:-

Total Votes Cast... 412
Those Voting Option One... 289
Those Voting Option Two... 110
Those Voting Neither Option... 13
Spoilt Papers... 0

This result has now been considered by the General Grades Committee who have taken the following decision:-

“We note the outcome of the referendum ballot and instruct the General Secretary to inform the Company of our acceptance of Option 1. Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.”

I will inform the Company of our acceptance of the basic pay award option and ask that this is implemented at the earliest opportunity.

I would also like to thank members for voting in this referendum and to thank your representatives for their efforts in this matter.

Yours Sincerely,

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Rail Union Learning Event












To advise all that a Rail Union Learning Event has been arranged by the Trade Unions, and this will take place on the 20th October 2010 at Waterloo, to download and view all the details on this event and to download the posters in both English and Spanish please click on the link below:

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Bob Crow (RMT General Secretary) is in attendance at Waterloo Branch on the 28th October 2010


Bob (RMT General Secretary) is in attendance at Waterloo Branch Meeting on the 28th October 2010, bob will adddress the Branch on Nation issues and will also be available to take questions from Branch Members.

If you can come along and listen to your elected General Secretary speak at your Branch Meeting.

RMT Secure SWT Staff 5.2% Increase

NEWS RELEASE


October 5 2010



Strong RMT union organisation secures South West Trains staff 5.2% increase setting the benchmark for the rail industry

RAIL UNION RMT today welcomed a 5.2% pay increase – without strings - secured by the union’s negotiators for all South West Trains staff saying that it proves the benefits of strong trade union organisation and sets a pay benchmark for the rest of the rail and transport sector. The 5.2% increase will hit staff pay packets from this week.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“At a time when the doom and gloom merchants in the press are repeating the Government line that everyone has to draw in their belts and accept cuts, job losses and austerity RMT has shown once again on South West Trains that strong union organisation delivers the goods.

“The pay award of 5.2% on South West Trains sets a clear benchmark for our negotiators and for the transport sector as a whole.

“Our members didn’t create this crisis, it was the bankers, and on the day when the return of the City bonus culture is back in the news with a vengeance we are sending out the clearest possible signal that working people don’t need to be bullied into paying the price for the greed and excess of the speculators.

“Strong union organisation is the only defence that working people have against the cuts and austerity onslaught – unity is strength.”



Yours sincerely


Bob Crow
General Secretary