Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2023 – Transport for Wales RL (Conductors)

Our Ref: BR2/0001/TFW

14^th October 2024

 

Dear Colleagues  

 

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2023 – Transport for Wales RL (Conductors)

 

Arising from the acceptance of the 2023 pay award, an issue has unfortunately come to light regarding the failure of Transport for Wales to properly address a disparity in hourly rate calculation applicable to our members. 

 

The background to this issue is that historically Cardiff Valley Line Guards/Conductors pay has been calculated over a 52 week pay cycle whereas all other depots pay are calculated over a 52.166 week pay divisor for their hourly rates calculations. For example:

 

4 weekly pay:

 

£47,035 / 52 weeks per annum * 4 weeks = £3,618.08

£47,035 / 52.166 weeks per annum * 4 weeks = £3,606.56

 

Over the course of a year this a difference of £11.52 * 13 payrolls = £149.76 per annum for salary alone

 

In addition to this overtime rates will attract a different payment also

 

For an 8-hour overtime shift at double time this would equate to a disparity of £1.32 difference for the day. 

£47,035 / 35 full time hours / 52 weeks per annum = £25.8434 per hour

£47,035 / 35 full time hours / 52.166 weeks per annum = £25.7612 per hour

 

This issue has understandably caused a considerable level of consternation amongst RMT members who voted in good faith for an agreement under the impression that all rates would be harmonised for their Grade and that hourly rates would be identical regardless of the depot of work.

 

Your Representatives have attempted to resolve this matter with your organisation at Conductor Company Council level seeking correct implementation i.e., 52-week divisor along with appropriate back pay for our members to correct the anomaly but to date this matter remains unresolved. 

 

The union’s National Executive Committee has considered this matter and has instructed me to write to TFW stating that failure to provide sufficient assurances may result in a dispute between our respective organisations. This instruction has now been carried out. In line with the wishes of the National Executive Committee, I am also seeking a legal opinion on this issue.   

 

I trust this keeps you fully advised on the matter.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary