Rail supply firm workers start four-day strike action
Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent
Tue, 29 August 2023
Engineers, clerical and production staff at a railway supply company will start a four-day strike on Tuesday in a dispute over pay.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said its members at Unipart Rail, who are based in Crewe, were angry that the company has been unwilling to improve a 4.75% pay offer which the union has rejected.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Unipart bosses continue to behave in an intransigent manner, and shown a complete disregard for their own staff.
“Our members have rejected a derisory pay offer, but despite attempts by our negotiators to reach a settlement, Unipart bosses cancelled a last-ditch meeting, showing no interest in trying to resolve the dispute.
“RMT remains determined to reach, a negotiated settlement on pay and conditions, and is willing to take more strike action if necessary.”
A Unipart Rail spokesperson said: “Unipart Rail has worked hard to avoid strike action and we continue to engage in dialogue with the trade union. We will avoid any disruption to our customers.
“While around half the staff at Crewe are not union members and have not balloted for strike action, we’re disappointed by the threat of industrial action.
“Employee engagement has been a fundamental part in Unipart’s business across all our sites globally for many years and fair remuneration is an important part of that.
“Last year we awarded significant pay increases to colleagues at Crewe. The minimum was 7%, the maximum was 25%, most fell between 10% and 15%. The current pay offer of 4.75% has been based on several factors but is largely driven by affordability as the rail sector continues to be under significant earnings pressure.
“We will continue to be sensitive to the inflationary pressures on our people and will continue to offer them as much support as possible such as free guidance on financial management through independent third-party advisers, who also advise on health and mental health issues.
“However, ultimately the company can only support pay claims that are affordable, and which will not result in steps such as downsizing to bring costs in line with customer demand.”
Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent
Tue, 29 August 2023
Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA
Network Rail has withheld annual bonuses from its union members who took part in strikes, in a move that threatens to further sour industrial relations.
The state-owned railway infrastructure manager settled the pay dispute with its workforce in March this year, after RMT members voted to accept a rise worth 9% over two years.
However, Network Rail has told staff that those who took part in any of the strikes from June 2022 onwards that they will not receive a bonus.
The RMT called the move “disgraceful” and an attempt to divide workers in the union.
The bonus is understood to have been much lower than usual this year owning to Network Rail’s performance, which was heavily affected by the strikes. However, those who did not strike will receive about £300.
About 20,000 RMT members are expected to be affected by the decision.
A Network Rail spokesperson confirmed that bonuses would be withheld and defended the move. They said: “Awarding performance-related pay [PRP] is Network Rail’s way of recognising colleagues for their contribution to achieving the company’s performance targets. We have been crystal clear with both our trade unions and our employees that the cost of strike action would directly impact the PRP scheme.
“Our position was made very clear: any discretionary payments would focus on those who continued to support rail services during industrial action.”
The decision has upset staff, with many still aggrieved at sub-inflation pay rises after being lauded as frontline workers during Covid.
More than 12,000 people have signed a petition on the Organise platform calling on Network Rail to reinstate the bonuses.
The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “The decision to exclude trade unionists from this bonus scheme is disgraceful and is understandably causing significant consternation among members.
“It is clear that the stance adopted by Network Rail both penalises and discriminates against members for exercising their human right to associate and to participate in lawful trade union activities. However, legal protections only exist for those who are unfairly dismissed for taking part in lawful strike or other industrial action which is called officially.”
In an email to members, he said: “As the bonus scheme is discretionary, and not a contractual obligation, the decision to exclude RMT members has been taken in bad faith and is a transparent attempt to divide the workforce and undermine your union, by specifically rewarding those who refused to stand in solidarity with union members taking essential strike action.”
RMT members at train operators in England are still in dispute and will strike again on Saturday, causing widespread disruption.
Another four-day strike by RMT rail workers over pay, at the Unipart supply firm in Crewe, starts on Tuesday.
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