Redundancies - Abellio Scotrail / Network Rail

Our Ref: BR2/15/4

3rd July 2015


Dear Colleague

REDUNDANCIES – ABELLIO SCOTRAIL / NETWORK RAIL

I write with regards to the above matter and to inform you that your Senior Union Representatives have been in urgent talks with Scotrail management to discuss the company’s proposals to reduce their workforce. Indeed the RMT attended a recent meeting at the Scotrail Group Headquarters where Abellio Scotrail confirmed their intentions to reduce the headcount by means of introducing a Voluntary Leavers Scheme.

Therefore, the matter has been subject to recent consideration by your union’s Executive Committee who is of the view that the introduction of a Voluntary Leavers Scheme is in  fact a reduction in staffing numbers by stealth. Although the company has indicated that they are looking for 80 Fitters to leave the business, our Senior Union Representatives have conveyed that the grades which will be affected by this Scheme will be Engineering and Cleaning grades. Furthermore, it is likely that the figure will go beyond the 80 Fitters as this does not include cleaning grade members.

As you may be aware, a ‘no compulsory agreement’ currently exists between the RMT and Abellio Scotrail. Therefore, should the company renege on this Agreement or indeed, the reduction in staffing numbers goes beyond the 80 jobs through voluntary redundancy then the RMT will immediately go into dispute with Abellio Scotrail and I will commence a ballot for industrial action.

The RMT are totally opposed to any form of job losses and outsourcing core railway work to agencies and will vigorously defend our member’s jobs and terms and conditions. I have written to Abellio Scotrail outlining our position on this very important matter and once I have received a response from the company I will provide a further update on the situation.

Best wishes.
 
Mick Cash
General Secretary