De-Recognition – Story Plant

Our Ref: ORG/REC/STORYPLANT

 

15^th August 2024

 

 

Dear Colleague, 

 

De-Recognition – Story Plant

 

It has been brought to my attention by your Lead Officer that Story Plant are seeking to de-recognise RMT on 11^th November 2024, giving your Union the required formal 3 months’ notice. 

 

The company’s letter has indicated that management had an adverse reaction to your Union’s recent handling of the ongoing pay dispute and they also claim to have been contacted by a high number of RMT members stating that they have lost confidence in the collective bargaining agreement and wish to work with the company directly. 

 

Management’s actions clearly demonstrate their anti-Union stance and they have become increasingly strident in showing this within negotiations. Furthermore, the RMT Lead Officer has reported that you and your colleagues feel that the company have been very vocal in trying to remove the Union with the view that their problems can be resolved internally. 

 

The RMT National Executive Committee (NEC) considered a report from the Lead Officer and is appalled at the behaviour of Story Plant management and their continued disrespect to our Union and our members. The NEC have stated that the company’s Union busting tactics, misinformation and even personal attacks on the Lead Officer cannot and will not go unchallenged. 

 

I will also be going to the Central Arbitration Committee to seek statutory recognition to demand that our members continue to be represented by RMT for collective bargaining purposes. The RMT will continue to make available all relevant resources and support to ensure that you and your colleagues continue to have a collective voice. 

 

RMT is already in the process of raising this matter immediately at the highest level of Network Rail and with the relevant Government ministers following a recent announcement that Story Contracting was has received further contracts by Network Rail in Scotland. 

 

I want to reassure Story Plant members that this Union will not allow you to be dictated to by an out of touch, anti-Union senior management team. 

 

The NEC’s Industrial Organisation sub-committee will be considering this matter in further detail and I will keep members advised of any further developments. 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary