ROSTERING ISSUES, CATERING GRADES – AVANTI WEST COAST

Our Ref: BR2/8/2

 

TO ALL AVANTI WEST COAST CATERING GRADES 

 

3^rd October 2024

 

Dear RMT Member,

 

ROSTERING ISSUES, CATERING GRADES – AVANTI WEST COAST

 

Negotiations have taken place with management in an attempt to resolve the issues at the heart of this dispute. Following these discussions, the company provided a set of proposals and proposed a trial. 

Your union’s National Executive Committee has again considered the matter and has acknowledged the views of your representatives and has instructed me to arrange a meeting with the NEC, Lead Officer and representatives to discuss the proposals. The Union’s NEC has also instructed me to re-ballot you and your colleagues. 

 

This dispute has been ongoing for nearly 6 months and your strength, unity and determination has been incredible throughout. However, due to the cynical additions made in the 2016 Trade Union Act ballots are only valid for a six-month period from the date they close. It does not matter whether the dispute is ongoing or industrial action is being taken. It takes no notice of the fact that you are continuing this principled fight. 

 

Therefore, we have no choice but to conduct another ballot and get a fresh mandate from members and your Union is asking you to return another resounding 'YES' vote as you did in the previous ballot. 

 

Therefore, the ballot for industrial action will open on Thursday 10^th October 2024 and will close on Thursday 24^th October 2024.

 

Now more than ever, it is imperative that we stand together and demonstrate our strength of feeling to the company. It is vital 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 Tuesday 15^thOctober 2024 or know of a colleague who has not received it, please e-mail info@rmt.org.uk; alternately you can call the freephone helpline on 0800 376 3706, RMT Head Office on 0207 387 4771 to request a replacement.

 

I trust this keeps you advised.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary