Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – Merseyrail (General Grades)

ur Ref: BR2/0001/M(GG)

11^th October 2024

 

Dear Colleagues 

 

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – Merseyrail (General Grades)

 

Referring to previous correspondence, pay talks have been re-convened and the following improved offer has been tabled:

 

• Pay offer of 6.5%, plus a fixed increase of £2,200 for those earning on or less than £26,000 as at the anniversary date of 7^th April 2024. 
• This pay offer is effective from Sunday 7^th April 2024 and takes effect until 24^th January 2026. 
• The subsequent pay anniversary for General Grades now takes effect fourth Sunday of January for each year thereafter, with the previous November RPI rate as the reference point. 
• For Train Managers only – pensionable pay will increase from 80% to 100%, taking effect from the next contribution rates change, scheduled to be on or around 1^st July 2025. 
• Sunday enhancement will be introduced to pay time and a fifth (120%) from 1^st November 2024 across the grade. For the grade, this now becomes contractual. 
• For those roles where Sunday is part of their existing working week (ie part-time On Board Cleaners and Part-time Station Staff), as a one off for this year’s pay offer, the equivalent Sunday enhancement will be additionally paid onto their base pay and will be the new base rate for these equivalent roles going forward. 
• No changes to any other terms and conditions are proposed. 

 

In order to achieve this pay offer your Representatives have negotiated a pay award lasting almost 21 months (93 weeks and 6 days), consequently the next pay anniversary is 25^th January 2026. This aligns General Grade members with the Train Driver Grade anniversary date. 

 

Having carefully considered the improved offer, the union’s National Executive Committee has instructed me to hold an e-referendum of you and your colleagues so that you can have your say on it.

 

Additionally, the National Executive Committee is strongly recommending that you vote ‘YES’ to accept these proposals. It is the belief of your National Executive Committee these proposals address many of the concerns that members had regarding the previous rejected offer, notably an above inflation pay increase, pensionable pay for Train Managers and improvements to the Sunday working enhancements. In addition, your union has made no concessions at all in trading in terms and conditions and therefore no other terms and conditions will be affected by this pay award. The referendum will close at midday on Tuesday 22^ndOctober 2024. 

 

Referendum Instructions

 

Members will shortly receive an email from 'RMT Referenda' which will allow you to register your vote. Please follow the instructions and make sure you complete this by no later than 12:00 hours on Tuesday 22^nd October 2024.

 

You must have an email address to take part

 

If you know of any member who has not received this email or if you are having any difficulties voting, please contact referenda@rmt.org.uk or the RMT Helpline on 0800 376 3706. If you do not receive your vote immediately, please check your junk/spam folders before contacting us for a replacement. 

 

VOTE ‘YES’ TO ACCEPT THE OFFER

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary