Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – Freightliner Ltd

Our Ref: BR3/0001/FL

5^th June 2024

 

Dear Colleagues 

 

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2024 – Freightliner Ltd

 

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

 

A two year pay deal, consisting of the following: 

 

Year One: a 3.5% increase for all Salaried grades, to be implemented as follows: 

 

• An increase of 1.5% to basic rates and relevant allowances backdated and effective from 1^st January 2024
• An additional increase of 2.0% to basic rates and relevant allowances effective from 1^stJuly 2024, in return for acceptance of the six business performance elements contained within this offer

 

Year Two: An amount equal to the annual percentage increase in the CPI index (November 2024 figure as declared in December 2024), subject to a guaranteed minimum increase of 2.0% - and a maximum increase of 3.0% for all Salaried grades.

 

Business Performance Elements 

 

1. Road Driver Overtime Guarantee vs. Demand

 

• Amendment of the LGV agreement from a “10-hour day” to a 50-hour week
• Overtime premia for hours worked above 50-hours per week to increase from payment at time and a half to payment at time and three quarters, effective from 1^st July 2024

 

2. Road Drivers Bonus – to continue and subject to the following:

 

• The maximum payment for 2024 and 2025 will be £550.00, subject to PAYE deductions. The bonus remains non-contractual and non-pensionable
• Revised performance metrics based on profession driving as recorded by vehicle telematics (“Green Band Driving”) as opposed to accidents
• The bonus will accrue during periods of annual leave, and/or during any other periods of pre-authorised paid or unpaid leave
• During the course of the drivers normal working week any incidences of sickness absence and of whatever duration will mean that bonus does not accrue for the respective week and will not be paid in December 2024
• The bonus will be included in calculations for Holiday Pay Allowance but not for sick pay, maternity pay, notice pay or redundancy pay

 

3. MSO Trainer Allowance 

 

• Introduction of a Training Allowance for MSOs of £2,500.00 per annum
• Entitlement to the allowance to be confirmed following an open appointment process
• The allowance will be non-pensionable and payable on a continuing four-weekly basis subject to retention of competence
• The rate of the allowance to be fixed for the first three years post-introduction

 

4. Terminal Engineering (Technician A & B Grades Principles) 

 

• Aligning with the 2007 Principles agreement and to better match maintenance schedules to workload, the standard working week is to remain at 35 hours comprising 5 equal turns of 7 hours, to be rostered to work any 5 days from 6 between Monday and Saturday. A day free from duty will be granted to staff that are required to work a Saturday as part of their standard working week
• If required Technicians are obligated to provide maintenance cover on a Sunday, the company will endeavour to restrict Sunday working to one weekend in three
• Saturday and Sunday duty is defined as hours worked between 00.01hrs and 24.00hrs and will be paid at the agreed enhanced rates

 

5. Clerical Grades (Traffic Offices only) 

 

• In the event of roster gaps cover will, in the first instance, be managed through the National Operating Centre before local overtime is offered

 

6. Terminal Attendant Grade 

 

• Introduction of revised Terminal Attendant role, as a route from agency to permanent conversion where appropriate
• Activities to be linked to new revenue generating services, to include M&R, Reefer, Cargo handling, Debagging and Recycling
• Rates of pay and applicable premia as per existing “Labourer” grade within the current Salaried grade structure

 

Consequently, 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. Additionally, the National Executive Committee is recommending that you vote ‘NO’ to reject this offer. 

 

The union’s negotiating team has produced a newsletter outlining the reasons why members should vote to reject this offer. The newsletter can be accessed HERE.

 

The on-line referendum will close at 11:00 hours on Thursday 13^th June 2024.

 

Referendum instructions: you must have an email address to take part

 

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 11am on Thursday 13^th June 2024.

 

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