Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – Wilts & Dorset (Engineering)

Our Ref: B/0001/W&D(E)

 

15^th July 2024

 

Dear RMT Member

 

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – Wilts & Dorset (Engineering)

 

In line with Union policy, a claim was submitted for a substantial increase in rates of pay and improvements to terms and conditions. Talks have taken place with the Company and the offer which has been tabled is as follows:

 

Cleaner Grades

 

• The Day Cleaner rate will increase from the current £11.44 per hour (which it increased to in April 2024 as a result of the change to the National Living Wage) to £12.00 per hour.

 

• The Night Cleaner rate will increase from the current £11.44 per hour to £13.00 per hour.

 

Shunter Grades

 

• Shunter/Cleaner shift rate non PSV licence will increase from the current £12.66 to £13.50.

 

• Shunter/Cleaner shift rate with PSV licence will increase from the current £12.78 to £13.95.

 

Skilled Engineer Grades

 

• Shift Engineer will increase from the current £19.80 to £21.00 per hour.

 

• Static Engineer will increase from the current £16.51 to £17.50 per hour.

 

• The Engineering Team Leader role will increase from the current £20.91 per hour to £22.50 per hour.

 

As a further note of context, whilst there were changes to the pay structure for shift engineers in 2019, that rate has increased from £13.92 in October 2019 to the offered £21.00 per hour, an increase of 50.86% compared to the BB01 driver grade which has increased from £11.65 per hour in October 2019 to £15.00 with their recent deal, an increase of 28.76%.

 

Two-Year RPI-linked deal

 

The rates above are conditional on a two year deal which will then increase by a guaranteed 2.3% on the anniversary date in 2025 with the rate linked to RPI such that if RPI is 3.4% or greater, the actual increase applied will increase by increments of 0.1% for every 0.1% that the June 2024 rate of RPI is 3.4% or above. For example, if RPI is 3.4%, the actual increase applied will be 2.4%. If RPI is 6.0%, the actual increase applied will be 5.0%.

 

The next pay renegotiation meeting would take place in advance of the July 2026 pay review.

 

The National Executive Committee has considered this matter and having noted a report received from your Lead Officer, that the offer falls short of members’ aspirations by some margin, has instructed me to hold an e-referendum of you and your colleagues so that you can have your say on it. The National Executive Committee is recommending that you vote ‘NO’ to reject this offer. The referendum will close at 11am on Tuesday 23^rd July 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 11:00 hours on Tuesday 23^rd July 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 ‘NO’ TO REJECT THE OFFER

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary