HULL TRAINS PENSION SCHEME SECTION OF THE RAILWAYS PENSION SCHEME (RPS) – 2022 TRIENNIAL VALUATION

My Ref: MRP 1/8/9                                                                            

 

28th June 2024

 

Circular Num: NP/161/24

 

To: The Secretary All Branches & Regional Councils

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

HULL TRAINS PENSION SCHEME SECTION OF THE RAILWAYS PENSION SCHEME (RPS) – 2022 TRIENNIAL VALUATION

 

I refer to Circular NP/080/24, 28th March 2024, as you will have been advised our members at Hull Trains have overwhelmingly voted to take industrial in support of their future pension rights which have been threatened by Hull Trains and First Group management’s unnecessary decision to close the Hull Trains section of the RPS to new entrants.

 

Our representatives have made it clear to management that their decision to attack our members pension scheme is unnecessary as this final salary pension scheme is not only fully funded but has a healthy surplus. Management’s reckless decision will in the long term negatively affect the future funding of the scheme which will ultimately put our members future pension rights at risk. 

 

In our experience when final salary schemes close to new entrants, and the number of contributing members reduces overtime, this puts additional pressure on the funding of the scheme. This has more often than not resulted in such arrangements closing completely to future service and members being placed into inferior arrangements. 

 

While First Group have said they will subsidise the Hull Trains Pension Scheme if a deficit appears in the future, we believe that this is unsustainable. It was only 4 years ago that First Group wanted to close the scheme to future accrual (service) because of their concerns about the risk the Hull Trains Pension Scheme places on First Group business if Hull Trains was to go bust. Therefore, why now would First Group want to throw money at the scheme.

 

Out representatives last met with management on 26th June 2024 where they again asked management to re-open the scheme to new entrants so that they could get around the table and negotiate a resolution to this issue. At the time of writing management have rejected our representative’s request so now we have no choice but to ask our members at Hull Trains to take the necessary industrial action in accordance with the ballot mandate in support of their future pension rights.

 

Therefore, please be advised that our On-Board Manager Hull Trains members have been requested not to book on for any of their shifts that commence between:

 

  • 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 14th July 2024 

 

  • 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 21st July 2024 

 

  • 0001 Hours and 2359 Hours on Sunday 28th July 2024 

 

As I have stated above the RMT are more than willing to enter into further dialogue with management but to have constructive and meaningful consultation management must do the right thing and re-open Hull Trains Pension Scheme to new entrants.

 

In the meantime, I will keep you fully advised on any further developments.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary