DEFEND JOBS, PAY AND CONDITIONS - TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES

Our Ref: BR2/15/4

 

26^th April 2024

 

Dear RMT Member,

 

DEFEND JOBS, PAY AND CONDITIONS - TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES

 

Please find a video message that provides an update on the current situation regarding the Memorandum of Understanding talks and pay HERE

 

Since the Memorandum of Understanding was agreed the Train Operating Companies have been meeting with the relevant Company Councils for each grade covered by the MoU. A considerable amount of negotiation has taken place at each TOC, with various companies providing details on items they wish to discuss. The items for discussions have ranged from changes to the Sickness Policy, Rosters, Technology, Annual Leave, and other changes to working practices. The items put forward have not been uniform or consistent across the industry, with each TOC providing a different set of proposals.

 

Your representatives have sat through extensive negotiations and discussed the proposals put forward by your company. Discussions are due to finish this month, but some will run into May, with Cross Country not having started at all. 

 

Currently, the pay offer from the TOCs is a below inflation offer of generally 4% in exchange for members agreeing to changes to their Terms and Conditions. Presently, no TOC has put forward a full and final offer listing their proposals. However, once full and final offers have been received, the Union’s National Executive Committee will carefully scrutinise what has been offered and an informed decision will be taken. 

 

The Union’s National Executive Committee has instructed me to prepare for all possible outcomes. This means we need to be prepared to ballot for industrial action, should the offer we receive from the TOCs be unacceptable. I would urge members to update their details if they have changed address, workplace, grade, or employer by logging into the members area of the website or by emailing the helpline at info@rmt.org.uk or by calling the Freephone Helpline on 0800 376 3706.

 

I am also arranging a mass meeting on Wednesday 15^th May 2024 for all Train Operating Company Second Stage Representatives, Lead Officers, NEC, and National Officers to discuss the current situation, the negotiations that have taken place and the offers from the TOCs. 

 

I trust this keeps you advised, and I will update you on any further developments. 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary