RMT prepares for action on Tyne and Wear Metro

RAIL UNION RMT said today that it is looking at recommendations for action at NEXUS/Tyne and Wear Metro, utilising a massive mandate in a ballot of members, after the company failed to recognise in a series of meetings with the unions that their pay strategy has provoked a mass exodus of drivers to other train operators as both pay and working conditions have been left way behind the industry standard.

Although the company have been flagging up various headline numbers what they have failed to point out is that the union has put forward a coherent strategy for addressing the imbalance on drivers pay which has created a staffing crisis and have opted instead for megaphone diplomacy rather than negotiating a rational settlement that recognises years of stagnation.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:

“RMT has received a report from our regional organiser recommending we implement the overwhelming ballot result at NEXUS and taking the union into a formal programme of industrial action. That report will be considered by RMT’s executive.

“It is wholly down to the company that drivers pay and conditions have been allowed to stagnate and slip way behind the industry norm, creating a staffing crisis as drivers head for other train operators where they can get a better deal.

“It is ludicrous for the company to ignore the facts and to run to the media with a megaphone in hand to attack their remaining staff and the unions who are simply looking for a rational settlement that recognises the historic failure to keep pace.”