Hull Trains Section off the Railways Pension Scheme 2019 Actual Valuation Proposals

My Ref: MRP 1/8/9

27th April 2021

Circular Num: NP/133/2021

To: The Secretary All Branches & Regional Councils

Dear Colleagues,

HULL TRAINS SECTION OF THE RAILWAYS PENSION SCHEME 2019 ACTUARIAL VALUATION PROPOSALS

I refer to my previous Circular, NP/130/21, 23rd April 2021, I can advise that the ballot for industrial action in defence of the Hull Trains section of the RPS, will open on Thursday 29th April 2021, please see below for further details.

I would advise that I have written to our members’ effected by this disgraceful proposal that it is crucial that they vote in favour of industrial action in support of their future pension rights.

It is a fact that if management get away with closing the Hull Trains section of the RPS for future accrual this will result in many employees having to work longer and for a much lower pension.

It is also a fact that management are taking the opportunity to attack its employee’s retirement expectations at a time of world pandemic crisis and at a time when the Hull Trains section is reasonable well-funded. Management have manufactured an argument which is nothing more than a cynical and opportunist attack on its employees deferred wages. This attack is driven by a desire to transfer the employers pension risk onto its employees.

We have made it quite clear to management that we are prepared to work to a solution to resolve this dispute, but they have made it clear they are not prepared to discuss this with us any further and have stated they were going to close the scheme on 25th April 2021 regardless of our offers of further talks. We now have no choice than to take action against the employer to resolve this distasteful issue.

As mentioned above the ballot for industrial action will commence on Thursday 29th April 2021 and members will need to ensure they return their voting paper by no later than first post on Thursday 20th May 2021.

I would urge members to contact the union if their job title, address, or workplace has recently changed. If any of these changes apply, then please contact the RMT Helpline by Email at info@rmt.org.uk; Alternatively, you can call the RMT Freephone Helpline number on 0800 376 3706. Additionally, if you know a colleague who has recently moved or changed their employment please ask them to contact the union on one of the above methods.

I will keep you advised of any developments.

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash
General Secretary