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RMT steps up strike action and calls UK-wide signallers’ ballot

Publication Date: March 9 2007

MORE THAN 400 RMT signallers working for Network Rail in Scotland are to hold two further 48-hour strikes over the company’s continued failure to implement the 35-hour week agreement signed last summer, the union announced today.

Signallers and supervisory staff in Scotland will strike between noon next Friday (March 16) and Sunday (March 18), and again between noon on the following Monday (March 19) and Wednesday (March 21).

 

And as signallers and signalling supervisory staff began returning to work after the first 48-hour strike in the dispute ended today, the RMT executive also announced plans to ballot more than 4,000 signalling and supervisory members throughout Britain.

 

"Our signalling members in Scotland are standing shoulder to shoulder despite attempts to browbeat them, and it is time that Network Rail acknowledged their anger at the failure to deliver the 35-hour week deal they signed up to," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

 

"Our members are adamant that the deal we signed last July should be implemented properly and in full, and after consulting reps around Scotland we will today be informing Network Rail of two further 48-hour strikes.

 

"Network Rail have been drafting in scab managers from around the country in their attempt to undermine our members' strike, and evidence is emerging of serious safety breaches that affect our members throughout Britain.

 

"The 35-hour week deal was a UK-wide deal, and the company's blatant reneging on the assurances they gave us over its implementation also has serious implications for our members throughout Britain.

 

"As a result the RMT executive will also now be informing Network Rail of our intention to ballot signalling and supervisory staff for strike action across the UK rail network.

 

"The solution to this dispute is straightforward. We already have an agreement in place, and Network Rail has only to agree to implement it, and to put a stop to the safety breaches," Bob Crow said.