ROSTERING ISSUES, CATERING GRADES – AVANTI WEST COAST

Our Ref: BR2/8/2

 

TO ALL AVANTI WEST COAST CATERING GRADES 

 

10^th April 2024

 

Dear RMT Member,

 

ROSTERING ISSUES, CATERING GRADES – AVANTI WEST COAST

 

Recently I advised you of the ballot result, in which members voted overwhelmingly to support industrial action over these issues. However, due to the anti-trade union legislation the legal thresholds were not met. Understandably, members are frustrated that they are unable to exercise their democratic right and take industrial action over these incredibly important issues.  

 

As you will recall, following your Union raising concerns with Avanti West over the issues with the STP Diagrams, the matter is still currently unresolved. The current situation where staff diagrams are being wrongly cancelled, other staff members are allocated their work off spare and the staff in the original post are made spare but subjected to a two-hour movement on STP. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue.

 

The work/life balance of RMT members has been severely jeopardised by the company’s incompetence. 

 

The Union’s National Executive Committee has considered the matter, and noting members are keen to resolve this issue has instructed me to ballot all Avanti West Coast catering grades for industrial action. It is imperative that we achieve the necessary ballot mandate to take industrial action. A successful mandate will send a clear message to the company that we demand they take our concerns seriously. 

 

Now more than ever, it is imperative that we stand together and demonstrate our strength of feeling to the company and that we will not allow Avanti West Coast to bully catering grades into this unacceptable position. I am urging members to vote 'YES' to both questions in the ballot for industrial action.

 

Therefore, the ballot for industrial action will open on Wednesday 17^th April 2024 and will close on Thursday 9^thMay 2024.

 

It is imperative that we get a massive return in the ballot for industrial action, so we are not prevented from acting on our members' wishes by the ballot thresholds. Failure to meet these thresholds means industrial action cannot happen, so a high turnout is crucial. 

 

I urge members not to waste their vote and to vote 'YES' for strike action and industrial action short of a strike.

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 take 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. 

 

Make sure you return your paper as soon as you receive it. If you do not receive your voting paper by Wednesday 24^thApril or know of a colleague who has not received it, please call the freephone helpline on 0800 376 3706, RMT Head Office on 0207 387 4771 or e-mail info@rmt.org.uk to request a replacement.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary