Defend Jobs, Pay & Conditions - Network Rail

Our Ref: BR6/10/1

 

24^th May 2022

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

DEFEND JOBS, PAY & CONDITIONS – NETWORK RAIL

 

I write to advise you that the ballot has now closed and the result is as follows: -

 

Are you prepared to take strike action?

 

Number of individuals who were entitled to vote in the ballot:21070

Number of votes cast in the ballot:15382

Number of individuals answering “Yes” to the question:14146

Number of individuals answering “No” to the question:1211

Number of spoiled or otherwise invalid voting papers returned:25

 

Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?

 

Number of individuals who were entitled to vote in the ballot:21070

Number of votes cast in the ballot:15382

Number of individuals answering “Yes” to the question:14808

Number of individuals answering “No” to the question:530

Number of spoiled or otherwise invalid voting papers returned:44

 

The union’s National Executive Committee has considered this matter and their decision is as follows:

 

“That we note the result and that our members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action and in support of our campaign to defend their Jobs, Conditions, and Pay. We thank all of those activists, members, staff and officers that have campaigned so hard for this result.

The General Secretary is instructed as follows:

We note that prior to the ballot there were regular meetings at an industry-wide level, therefore we call for the convening of an industry-wide forum of the employers, Rail Industry Recovery Group (RIRG – the employers’ umbrella group), Department for Transport and the rail trade unions to address the issues in this dispute.

To arrange an immediate meeting with the RIRG to discuss the dispute issues and the negotiation process.

To inform the company that they are required to arrange negotiations and to formulate proposals that address the issues in dispute.

To advise our affected members of the results of the ballot and that we have a strong mandate for a programme of industrial action if a settlement cannot be achieved.

To place this matter before this NEC on Tuesday 31^st May 2022 with the responses from the companies and any reports on discussions so that we can set out the programme of industrial action that may be required in order to pursue this dispute to an agreed settlement.

To conduct a wide-ranging public and political campaign to win support for our rail members”

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary