NEW TECHNOLOGY PAYMENT – TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS

Our Ref: BR2/9/4

 

10^th April 2024

 

Dear RMT Member,

 

NEW TECHNOLOGY PAYMENT – TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS

 

The RMT remains in dispute with TransPennine Express over the company's refusal to make payments to our Conductor grade members for the scanning of electronic tickets. This dispute has been ongoing for many months and your strength, unity and determination has been incredible throughout. As you will recall members delivered an overwhelming vote to continue with the ballot. However, due to cynical additions made in the 2016 Trade Union Act which put even greater restrictions on workers taking industrial action, the balloting thresholds were not met. 

 

The Union’s National Executive Committee has recently considered the report from your Lead Officer and Company Council following the recent result. Therefore, taking everything into consideration the Union’s NEC has instructed me to re-run the ballot, so that members are able to exercise their democratic right and take industrial action. 

 

It is imperative that members return their ballot paper as soon as you receive it. 

 

Therefore, the ballot will Open on Wednesday 17^th April 2024 and will Close on Thursday 23^rd May 2024.

 

Please make sure you use your vote and vote 'YES' for strike action and 'YES' for industrial action short of a strike, in the form of a rest day working, overtime ban and refusal to use electronic ticket scanners.

 

It is imperative that we win this ballot for industrial action to take place and for us to win a fair deal on ticket scanning and to strengthen the Union's hand in future negotiations.

 

I urge you to keep up the magnificent support for your Union and vote strongly in favour of strike action and industrial action short of a strike in the forthcoming ballot. Due to the anti-trade union laws, now more than ever, it is massively important to get a big turnout and a strong vote in favour of action.

 

Do not allow the company to win by hiding behind anti-trade union legislation. We must send the company a clear message that we will continue with this principled stand and we will not allow them to run away from negotiating a fair deal. It is time for management to get around the table and come to a sensible agreement with the union in this long running dispute. 

 

In addition to the ballot, the Union’s NEC will be meeting with the Lead Officer and Company council to discuss the campaign and re-ballot. 

 

Vote ‘YES’ to both questions and stand firm in our determination to win a fair deal.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary