- 107 Items Tagged Within News
Windrush line strike action over pay and conditions next month
Workers employed by Cleshar CS Ltd, including the vital signalling and telecoms team, have been offered just a 1.5 per cent pay rise, well below the current rate of RPI inflation.
The dispute also involves ongoing problems with overtime and...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, London Overground, Windrush Line, Strike, Pay
RMT rejects inadequate 4.5% pay offer for RFA seafarers
RMT says successive pay deals below RPI have significantly eroded earnings, with RFA management unable to demonstrate that pay rates comply with the legal minimum wage once the actual hours worked by seafarers are taken into account.
Seafarers can...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, RFA, Pay
London Mayor must end corporate capture of TfL and insource cleaners
The demonstration, beginning at 9.30am at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London E16 1ZE, follows TfL’s decision earlier this month to award a new five-year cleaning contract covering more than 2,000 workers to outsourcing giant Mitie, despite the Mayor previously telling...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, End Rail Outsourcing, TfL, Cleaners
RMT secures inflation proof pay deal on Network Rail
Over three quarters of members accepted the offer which includes no efficiency or productivity elements linked to the deal and a 3.8% pay rise. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "I congratulate our Network Rail members and negotiators for securing this...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Network Rail, Pay
RMT responds to record breaking offshore wind procurement
Eddie Dempsey general secretary said: "The government’s announcement of a record-breaking offshore wind auction shows the scale of what is possible when there is political will to invest in clean energy and long-term infrastructure. “Expanding offshore wind capacity is essential...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Offshore, Wind
RMT lambasts TfL for failing to insource cleaners
The appalling decision means that RMT members working as cleaners will not enjoy the same terms and conditions as directly employed staff on London Underground.
RMT has estimated that Mitie paid out £41.5 million to its investment bank shareholders in...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, TfL, London Underground, Cleaners, Mitie
RMT puts Network Rail pay offer to referendum
The publicly owned company has offered a pay rise in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) for one year with a no compulsory redundancy guarantee.
RMT members will now decide whether to accept the offer and end the pay...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Network Rail, Pay
RMT warns P&O Ferries investigation delay undermining confidence in company law
Nearly four years after almost 800 UK seafarers were sacked by pre-recorded video message, the Insolvency Service’s civil probe into potential misconduct by P&O Ferries directors remains unresolved, despite such investigations typically concluding in a little over six months.
The...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, P&O Ferries, Insolvency Service
RMT statement on US military attack against Venezuela
“In accordance with international law and respect for sovereign nations, the UK Government must demand the immediate cessation of military hostilities towards Venezuela and the return of its President.
“Only by following the UN Charter can we create a framework...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, USA, Venezuela
Passengers face filthy trains as DLR cleaners strike over sick pay refusal
RMT members employed by contractor Bidvest Noonan will mount picket lines from 6am Wednesday 31 December through to Thursday 1 January, following earlier strike action in late November and early December.
Bidvest Noonan has only been willing to discuss the limited...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, DLR, Bidvest Noonan, Sick Pay
RMT to demonstrate against Driver Only Operation on East West Rail in New Year
The action follows confirmation from Chiltern Railways that it intends to operate services on the new route without a second safety-critical member of staff, despite RMT’s long-standing opposition to DOO. RMT is clear that a second safety-critical person onboard trains...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, East West Rail, Chiltern Railways
RMT hails major insourcing victory as TransPennine Express dispatch workers move in-house
The decision will see RMT members currently employed by Carlisle Support Services at Manchester Piccadilly and Leeds stations TUPE-transferred into direct employment with Northern Trains.
The transfer is expected to be completed by May 2026.
RMT says the move...
Region: North West
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, TransPennine Express, Northern Trains, Carlisle Support Services
RMT demands FirstGroup be stripped of Avanti West Coast contract over station staffing failures
The demand comes following continued attacks on station and retail grades, with the company refusing to address serious staffing, safety and accessibility concerns.
Avanti has failed to fill long-standing station grade vacancies or retain staff on permanent contracts, while pushing...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, FirstGroup, Avanti West Coast
RMT condemns Amey Rail redundancy plans on Core Valley Lines
Amey Rail has confirmed its intention to remove 59 roles from its CVL rail business by March 2026, placing dozens of workers at risk of redundancy across a wide range of operational, engineering, supervisory and management grades.
The company claims the...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Amey Rail, Core Valley Lines
DLR workers to strike New Year's Eve in contractor pay dispute
Workers employed by Bidvest Noonan are set to mount picket lines from Wednesday 31 December 2025 until Thursday 1 January 2026, following earlier action in late November and early December.
The dispute centres on low pay and poor working conditions, including the company's...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, DLR, Bidvest Noonan, Cleaners
RMT demands urgent action to protect rights of remand prisoners on hunger strike
The prisoners have now been without food for more than 40 days, giving rise to serious concerns about their health, welfare, and the duty of care responsibilities of the authorities.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “The government must immediately...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Palestine, Hunger Strike
BTP funding package will lead to job cuts
BTP made clear in the meeting that the third-year settlement creates a £2 million hole in its budget and would force reductions in headcount, mainly in frontline roles.
When BTP ran visible evening patrols at Kings Cross and St...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, BTP, Action Against Assaults
Rail unions warn BTP funding crisis is putting staff and passengers at risk
The warning comes as frontline officer numbers have fallen to unsafe levels amid rising crime across the rail network.
In a joint letter RMT, TUC, Aslef, TSSA and Unite, say years of cuts have pushed BTP officer numbers to “the...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, BTP, Action Against Assaults
RMT warns of surge in violence against rail workers while BTP presence cut
Official figures show a 17% rise in assaults on rail workers over the summer months compared with the same period last year.
Across the full reporting year to August 2025, the rate of offences has increased by nearly 13%, with 2,299 incidents recorded between...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, BTP, Action Against Assaults
£1.8 billion extracted by private business since 2016, RMT report reveals
The findings, published to mark the first anniversary of the Passenger Railways (Public Ownership) Act receiving Royal Assent, expose the sheer scale of cash leaving the system under privatisation.
The report shows more than £510 million was paid out...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Railway, Profits
RMT members at Svitzer Terminals vote for strike action over sick pay
The dispute originates from the TUPE transfer of staff from Solent Towage to Svitzer Terminals, after the company failed to apply sick pay properly in line with long-standing practices.
RMT has made multiple attempts over months to resolve the...
Region: Wessex
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Svitzer terminals
RMT warn of national ballot over assaults after EMR go into dispute on the issue
The union has gone into dispute with East Midlands Railway (EMR) following two recent violent incidents at the company.
Staff members have had hot water thrown at them and been attacked with a fire extinguisher while at the weekend,...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Assaults, East Midlands Railway
RMT warns of widespread welfare failures leaving women transport workers without safe toilet access
Coinciding with UN World Toilet Day, RMT is highlighting inadequate welfare for provision for bus workers, track workers on Network Rail, mobile ground staff in freight and workers in road logistics.
A survey of overhead line patrol workers on...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, World Toilet Day
RMT opposes Driver Only Operation declaring it unsafe
Chiltern have informed rail unions of their plans to introduce Driver Only Operation (DOO) on the new stretch of line, despite RMT's long standing opposition to such a move.
Media reports via anonymous leaks have incorrectly suggested the sole...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Chiltern, Driver Only Operation
RMT protest London City Hall over outsourced cleaning contract tender
More than 2,000 cleaners working across London Underground and the wider TfL estate are outsourced and denied the basic standards that directly employed staff receive.
Cleaners working for private contractors receive no company sick pay and only the statutory minimum pension,...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Tube, London Underground, Cleaners, ABM
RMT expresses condolences following loss of member aboard RFA Tidesurge
The vessel was operating in the Irish Sea when the incident occurred.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “We are all deeply saddened to learn of the loss of a seafarer and union member on the RFA Tidesurge.
...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, RFA, Tidesurge
RMT steps up campaign to end outsourcing
Rail union RMT, will hold a major Day of Action at Manchester Piccadilly on Wednesday 19 November, stepping up its national campaign to end outsourcing across Britain’s railways.
The action follows a strike by RMT members employed by Carlisle Support Services...
Region: North West
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Carlisle Support Services, Northern Trains, End Rail Outsourcing
Halt Tube cleaning contract tender and bring cleaners in-house
Hundreds of cleaners working across London Underground and the wider TfL estate are outsourced and denied the basic standards that other TfL staff receive.
Contracted out cleaners do not get company sick pay and only receive the legal minimum...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Tube, Cleaning, ABM, TfL
Carlisle Support Services must end pay freeze and return to meaningful talks as Northern revenue staff strike
A mass picket will take place at 11:00am, Fountain Street, Manchester, followed by a members’ meeting in the city centre in support of the action.
RMT has accused Carlisle of a campaign of misleading and deliberately selective communications claiming...
Region: North West
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Northern Trains, Carlisle Support Services
RMT blasts big oil and gas for benefiting from Petrofac administration
Ithaca contracts major offshore services to Petrofac and Compass Group’s ESS division, covering production, maintenance, and catering across assets West of Shetland, and others including Alba and Captain platforms. RMT says Ithaca has a practical and moral duty to...
Region: RMT Scotland
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Petrofac, Ithaca Energy, Offshore
RMT slams Avanti West Coast over short staffing at stations and ticket offices
At Stoke-on-Trent, the union has received reports that gate lines are frequently staffed by just one person, despite risk assessments requiring two.
Ticket office staff are also being pulled away to cover gates, leaving long queues of passengers needing...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Avanti West Coast, Staffing, Ticket Offices
RMT demands end to outsourcing on publicly owned Northern Trains ahead of Manchester day of action
RMT members employed by Carlisle Support Services on the Northern revenue protection and gateline contract took 48-hour strike action last month in response to a culture of bullying and harassment by management.
Now they are demanding they be taken...
Region: North West
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Northern Trains, Carlisle Support Services
RMT takes visa fight to Downing Street as rail workers face being forced to leave the UK
General Secretary Eddie Dempsey will be joined by a group of members employed at Transport for London (TfL) who, under recent changes to the Skilled Worker visa rules, are being told they must leave the UK, despite holding permanent contracts...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Skilled Worker Visas
RMT calls for BTP cuts reversal and safer railways following Huntingdon stabbing
The union says new figures show the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) BTP officers has fallen to just over 0.8 per million passenger journeys, down from over 0.9 per million last year — an 11% drop and almost a third fewer than in...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, BTP, Huntingdon
RMT welcomes legislation on Great British Railways
General Secretary, Eddie Dempsey said: "We welcome the creation of GBR which will bring about a new integrated publicly owned organisation, uniting track and train.
"This marks the culmination of over 30 years of campaigning against privatisation and fragmentation of our...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, GBR, Great British Railways
RMT heap praise on staff during train stabbing
The dreadful episode unfolded yesterday on an LNER train bound for Kings Cross which was successfully diverted to Huntingdon station following passengers raising the alarm.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Today I am spending time with RMT members working...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, LNER, Huntingdon
RMT strike action at Cross Country suspended
The company has provided proposals aimed at resolving the issues at the heart of the dispute which will require approval from the Department for Transport.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey congratulated the membership for their steadfast support for the union. ...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Cross Country
RMT ballot Svitzer Terminals over sick pay failures
Following the TUPE transfer of RMT members from Solent Towage to Svitzer which provides towage services for the ExxonMobil refinery in Fawley, the union has received multiple reports of management misapplying contractual sick pay.
In one case, a member was forced to repay sick pay to the employer.
Despite repeated attempts by RMT representatives to resolve the issue through negotiation, no progress has been made.
The union maintains that Svitzer is in breach of long-established collective agreements and is failing to uphold the sick pay provisions its members are contractually entitled to.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Svitzer’s refusal to resolve this matter shows a complete disregard for their staff and for collective bargaining agreements with us.
"We will not stand by while our members are denied their most basic contractual rights.
"If the employer does not come to their senses, then industrial action cannot be ruled out."
The ballot opens on Thursday 30 October, and will close on Thursday 27 November.
END
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Svitzer Terminals, Ballot
New Bus Services Act must stem decline of industry, says RMT
The Bill was introduced in recognition of the decline in the sector that has arisen because of decades of deregulation and privatisation.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that it had been disastrous for our bus networks, leaving communities poorly...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Bus, Bus Services Act
RMT expresses concerns over Petrofac jobs
More than 2,000 Scotland-based jobs are at risk as oil and energy services group Petrofac has applied for administration.
The union is urgently seeking clarity from the administrators regarding the status of ongoing contracts, outstanding wages, and the future employment prospects...
Region: RMT Scotland
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Petrofac, Offshore
British Antarctic Survey seafarers win huge pay increase
The union has been in intense negotiations with the employer and has now won agreement on a new pay scale and wage rates.
Pay increases range from 10% to 37% with a huge chunk of members receiving a 26% pay rise.
...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, British Antarctic Survey
RMT writes to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander on rail pay and productivity
The union has said that linking any pay offer above CPI to so-called “productivity savings” from staff is a dangerous approach that risks repeating the mistakes of austerity and undermining the railway's long-term future.
RMT is challenging claims that...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Heidi Alexander, Rail Pay
RMT responds to Government offshore jobs plan
Offshore and maritime union RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey, said:
“RMT welcomes the government’s commitment to closing loopholes in maritime and offshore employment law, which should in turn create domestic opportunities in coastal communities that support the entirety of...
Region: RMT Scotland
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Offshore Jobs Plan
RMT marks 25th anniversary of Hatfield rail disaster
The crash, caused by a broken rail, became a defining moment for the industry and highlighted the dangers of cutting corners on safety and maintenance.
It also exposed the failings of a fragmented, profit-driven system of rail infrastructure management....
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Hatfield Rail Crash
RMT declares dispute with Network Rail over falling real wages despite rising productivity
Since 2021, cumulative RPI inflation has risen by around 27%, while Network Rail pay awards over the same period total just 17%. That means staff are, on average, 10% worse off in real terms than they were four years ago. Depending on grade, individual...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Network Rail, Pay
Demonstration at Parliament against government work visa changes
The event will take place on Wednesday 15th October at 1pm.
Speakers confirmed so far include:
Eddie Dempsey, RMT General Secretary
Martin Cavanagh, PCS President
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
Apsana Begum MP John McDonnell MP
The government has...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Skilled Work Visas
RMT calls off strike ballot at Wightlink after company withdraws redundancy threats
Wightlink management decided to withdraw its restructuring proposals and has removed the threat of redundancy.
The company has made a clear commitment to withdraw the original proposals and continue discussions on workforce development, including upskilling and improvements to working...
Region: Wessex
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Wightlink
RMT to ballot Eurostar staff for strike action
The ballot comes as staff face worsening working conditions with unreliable trains, poor service recovery and operational safety concerns piling pressure on the workforce.
Eurostar posted revenues of €2 billion (£1.7bn) in 2024.
However staff say that money is not being...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Eurostar, ballot
RMT welcomes Greater Anglia into public ownership
RMT said a deal on insourcing workers was done through negotiations with the company prior to it being bought back into public ownership and provides a blueprint for Great British Railways (GBR) to embrace going forward.
Prior to the...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Greater Anglia
RMT welcomes Mayor’s call to pause visa changes affecting rail workers
The Mayor has urged Ministers to introduce transitional protections for existing workers already in post and to delay implementation of the reforms until the Migration Advisory Committee completes its review of shortage occupations.
The move follows campaigning by RMT,...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Tube, London Underground, Skilled Worker Visa, Mayor of London
Carlisle support services strike continues for second day on Northern contract
The strike follows widespread reports of bullying and harassment by managers, including attempts to pressure staff into breaking the strike, denying extra hours to union members, and forcing redeployments at short notice to remote locations.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey...
Region: North West
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Carlisle Support Services, Northern Trains
RMT calls for halt on £700m Tube cleaning contract tender
Tube union, RMT has written to the Mayor of London and members of the TfL Board demanding the immediate suspension of the procurement process for the pan-TfL cleaning contract.
The call comes after the union obtained legal advice from...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, ABM, London Underground, Cleaners, Mayor of London, TfL
Manchester synagogue attack statement
General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said:
“We unequivocally condemn this antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish worshippers during Yom Kippur in Manchester.
“The thoughts of our union are with those who have been killed, injured and all of their families and friends....
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Manchester Synagogue
RMT backs Labour commitment to offshore jobs
Labour Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told Party delegates meeting in Liverpool that the government planned to introduce a new Fair Work Charter that would close loopholes and ensure fair wages and trade union rights in the offshore sector.
RMT general...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Offshore, Labour
RMT to ballot Wightlink workers for strike action over jobs and safety
The company wants to cut Deck Officer and Port Operator grades, close overnight onboard retail, and reduce crewing levels across vessels.
RMT says these plans will strip out safety-critical roles, downgrade services, and pile pressure on loyal staff who have...
Region: Wessex
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Wightlink,
RMT demands Summit with the Mayor to end tube dispute
Speaking at TUC Congress in Brighton, Mr Dempsey told delegates from across the 6 million strong trade union movement, “I’ve got a message for the Mayor.
“Instead of going on social media, instead of the old tired clichés, telling trades unionists...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, TfL, Tube, Tube Strike
RMT slams Elizabeth Line ticket office closure plan
The union said the proposal comes just months after a mass outcry forced the previous government to abandon similar ticket office closure plans across the rail network.
The information came to light when the union were given sight of unredacted...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Elizabeth Line, Ticket Office, Transport for London
Tube cleaners threaten strike action over wages and sick pay
Despite repeated calls for a fair pay settlement, ABM management have refused to go beyond the statutory London Living Wage uplift and have made no offer whatsoever on sick pay, leaving cleaners with no protection when they fall ill.
...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, ABM, Cleaners, London Underground, Justice For Cleaners
RMT demands decent pay and conditions for seafarers on Merchant Navy Day
Merchant Navy Day, held every 3 September, commemorates the sinking of the SS Athenia on the first day of the Second World War and honours the 46,000 merchant seafarers who lost their lives in both world wars.
While paying tribute to the...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Merchant Navy Day
RMT welcomes London Assembly Transport Committee call for action on station staff safety
The union said the committee is right to link fare evasion with staff assaults and highlight the urgent need for more frontline staff, properly resourced enforcement, and serious consequences for those who attack transport workers at work.
RMT General Secretary...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, London Assembly Transport Committee, Action Against Assaults
P&O boss leaves the scene of a crime
Mr Hebblethwaite became Britain's most hated boss when P&O Ferries - a subsidiary of the giant Dubai-based ports operator DP World - sacked 800 staff with immediate effect via a video message.
The Insolvency Service is still investigating P&O for civil offences committed...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, P&O Ferries, Peter Hebblethwaite, Seafarers, Maritime
BTP cuts leave rail workers and passengers exposed to violence
The £8.5 million funding shortfall facing BTP this year could result in the closure of 13 police stations and the loss of around 600 posts including 200 filled roles.
The union said the cuts will leave frontline rail staff exposed to rising...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, BTP, Action Against Assaults
Orkney Ferries seafarers to take industrial action
From Thursday 28 August, RMT members will take action short of a strike by refusing to work any overtime until further notice.
The move comes after the company failed to enter into meaningful negotiations with the union over the 2025 pay...
Region: RMT Scotland
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Orkney Ferries, Strike, Pay, Conditions
RMT mass meeting demands an end to rail outsourcing
The event at The Vine Inn, 44 Kennedy Street will hear from General Secretary Eddie Dempsey and Regional Organiser Steve Shaw on the fight for a single, integrated and publicly owned railway.
RMT says all rail jobs, from cleaning to...
Region: North West
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Outsourcing, Rail
RMT welcomes Transport Committee bus report and calls for long term local authority support
The union said the report confirmed what bus workers and passengers have known for years – decades of deregulation and disinvestment have slashed services, driven up fares, and left communities isolated while frontline staff face low pay and job insecurity. ...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Bus, Transport Committee
RMT remembers those lost five years on from Carmont tragedy and warns lessons need to be learnt
Today marks five years since the derailment caused by a landslip in heavy rain near Carmont, Aberdeenshire, on 12 August 2020, which claimed the lives of three people – RMT conductor Donald Dinnie, Train driver Brett McCullough and passenger Chris Stuchbury.
...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Carmont
RMT supports commemoration of 1825 North Sands massacre
The killings took place on 3 August 1825 during action organised by the Seamen’s Loyal Standard Association (S.L.S.A.), one of the first attempts to form a trade union among British seafarers.
The dispute centred on dangerous and unpaid ballast work being...
Region: North East
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, North Sands Massacre
Orkney Ferries workers vote for industrial action after rejecting pay offer
The offer failed to address key issues around pay, rest time, and job security.
Given the existing short staffing across the service, any action short of a strike is expected to cause major disruption.
The workforce is already...
Region: RMT Scotland
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Orkney ferries
Fishguard figures show urgent need for legally binding Seafarers Charter
Passenger numbers on the Stena Line-operated Fishguard route were nearly 10% higher in 2024 compared to 2019 – bucking a wider trend of lower volumes across Ro-Ro ferry ports, post-pandemic.
In contrast, passenger numbers on Irish Ferries’ Pembroke–Rosslare service, which uses a...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Seafarers, Charter
RMT backs call for restoration of blue light status for Emergency Response Unit
Blue light status was granted to ERU vehicles in 2012 following a recommendation from the London Assembly’s 7 July Review Committee in response to the 7/7 bombings.
This capability ensured rapid response to incidents across London’s transport network and contributed to the safety...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Emergency Response Unit, Transport for London
RMT urges Labour to reject pension age hike
Currently the state pension age is 66 for men and women. It is due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2027, and to 68 in 2044.
But the decision by Work and Pensions secretary Liz Kendall to launch a review, has sparked fears in...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Pension, Labour
RMT welcomes c2c public ownership and calls for end to outsourcing
The union fully supports Labour's plan to create Great British Railways and to unite track and train under a single publicly owned body, benefiting railway workers and passengers alike.
However, cleaners working for Bidvest Noonan on c2c trains...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, c2c, Bidvest Noonan, Outsourcing
RMT demands public control of Merseyrail after £212m in private profits
In the letter, RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey wrote: “I’m writing to you to ask you to meet with me to discuss the future of the Merseyrail concession. I also want to take the opportunity to reiterate my union’s position...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Steve Rotheram, Merseyrail
Shocking survey reveals extent of poverty and pressure faced by Metro cleaners
The survey of Metro cleaners, employed by outsourcing firm Churchill, was conducted between 4–10 July 2025 and found:
70% sometimes or regularly struggle to make ends meet
67% can’t afford to take time off if they’re sick
85% have worked while...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Churchill, Tyne and Wear Metro, Cleaners
RMT remembers those who were killed on 7/7
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that it was important to remember the bravery of those who responded to the bombings, particularly transport workers, emergency services staff and public services who provided essential support.
“RMT London Underground members were at...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, 7/7
Government must act over P&O Ferries
The P&O accounts were published nearly ten months late following the resignation of its auditors in May. The company has already broken the law by firing and replacing seafarer RMT members with foreign agency crew who are paid under £5...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, P&O Ferries
RMT calls for lasting peace in the Middle East
Following Israel’s unlawful bombing of Iran, the regime in Tehran has responded with a huge ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv.
This ratcheting up of military action in the region, where civilians have already been killed, could escalate into...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Middle East, Israel, Iran
RMT to ballot GWR Gateline staff over dangerous lone staffing plans
The proposals would leave staff isolated, more exposed to abuse and violence, and unable to provide proper ticket enforcement and adequate assistance to passengers.
Unfortunately management have resorted to attempting to intimidate workers by insisting they will not win...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Great Western Railway, GWR, lone working
RMT slams First Group's profiteering and calls for crackdown on open access rail
The company announced a surge in operating profits of £222 million, a boosted final dividend, and a fresh £50 million share buyback.
First Group’s open access arm, which operates Hull Trains and Lumo, generated £106 million in revenue and £34 million in...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, First Group, Open Access, Hull Trains, Lumo
CrossCountry workers to begin overtime ban in rest day working dispute
The action follows Cross Country’s refusal to negotiate on enhancements for all grades to overtime and rest day working, despite previously agreed commitments.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said:
“CrossCountry is trying to wriggle out of agreements and...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Cross Country, Overtime Ban
RMT strike action to hit Nottingham bus services in pay dispute
Strike action will take place on the following days:
• Thursday 12 June 2025
• Wednesday 18 June 2025
• Wednesday 25 June 2025
• Wednesday 2 July 2025
Bus workers operate critical services across Nottingham, including the Medilink routes serving NHS hospitals and clinics.
Despite the vital role...
Region: Midlands
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Bus, Strike, CT4N
RMT welcomes SWR public ownership but demands end to outsourcing scandal
Watch video to listen to this press release
SWR press release 22May25
Under new arrangements, SWR will be taken into public ownership on Sunday, as part of the government’s transition to Great British Railways.
However, key roles...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, SWR, South Western Railway, Public Ownership
RMT secures Eurostar pay deal
The deal includes a 3.8% pay rise, a matching 3.8% increase in home-to-work travel allowances, and key improvements to family-friendly policies, all negotiated by RMT.
These include one extra day of paid carer’s leave and an additional two days of paid paternity...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Eurostar, Pay
Balfour Beatty Rail Plant strike ballot to open
RMT members working rail infrastructure maintenance, operations and engineering and technical support, have already overwhelmingly rejected this offer, which does nothing to address the rising cost of living.
Despite further talks, the company has refused to make a meaningful improvement...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Balfour Beatty, Pay
Offshore workers must not be casualties of clean energy transition, warns RMT
The union which represents workers in the offshore energy sector, has said it is committed to working with the government but has insisted that any green transition must centre around workers, ensuring secure well-paid jobs for the long-term future.
RMT...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Offshore, Energy,
Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract awarded to CalMac
The Scottish government made the decision following a long running People's CalMac campaign by the union, demanding more investment and to put island communities before profit.
Eddie Dempsey, RMT general secretary said: "This is a tremendous victory not just for...
Region: RMT Scotland
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, CalMac,
A charter for starters!
RMT’s Apprentice Charter outlines a comprehensive plan to address challenges faced by apprentices, improve the quality of apprenticeships, and ensure the future sustainability of the transport sector.
It calls on politicians and employers to take decisive action to support and...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Apprentices Charter
ScotRail peak fares scrapped following union pressure
The move follows sustained pressure from unions and campaigners, who have long argued that peak fares were an unjust barrier to affordable travel for working people.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “This is the right decision and a clear...
Region: RMT Scotland
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Rail Union, ScotRail
RMT demands end to outsourcing on Britain’s railways
A new RMT report, How Outsourcing Embeds Systemic Racism on the Railway, exposes how thousands of rail workers—predominantly from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities—are trapped in outsourced roles with no pensions, no training, and no pathway to progression.
...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, End Rail Outsourcing
Major RMT victory for collective bargaining at Rail Gourmet
The company has now conceded to all of the union’s demands and will sign a comprehensive recognition agreement in a major reversal of its long-standing refusal to engage properly with trade unions in the workplace.
As a result, the...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Rail Gourmet, TransPennine Express,
Merseyrail cleaners win pay victory
The new agreement, which includes a six per cent pay rise backdated to April 2023, a further five per cent from April 2024, improved sick pay, and an uplift to a £15 minimum hourly rate from April 2025, marks a significant victory for...
Region: North West
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Merseyrail, Churchill Cleaning Services, Cleaners
RMT slams Foreland Shipping over pay inequality amid soaring profits and MoD contract windfall
Foreland Shipping operates the Strategic Sealift Service under a long-running Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal with the MoD.
Originally set to run for 25 years, the contract was extended in December 2024 to 2031 at a total value of £476 million.
The company’s...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Forland Shipping, Maritime, Seafarers
ScotRail’s 3.8% fare hike is punishing passengers and undermining climate goals
The fare increase comes off the back of the Scottish Government signing off on plans to cut hours at the majority of ScotRail ticket offices, undermining accessibility and passenger support across the network.
It also follows the reintroduction of...
Region: RMT Scotland
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, ScotRail, fares
RMT urges Avanti to address ticket office staff shortages
Following a successful campaign led by RMT — with overwhelming public support — plans to close ticket offices nationwide were abandoned.
However, Avanti has yet to reverse staffing decisions made during the closure threat.
Over recent months, the...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Avanti West Coast, Ticket Offices, Staffing
RMT welcomes TfL e-bikes ban
Recent fires involving e-bikes with large batteries on the network, have caused safety concerns amongst tube workers and passengers.
Responding to the decision, RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "We welcome the banning of non-folding e-bikes from the tube...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Tube, E-Bikes, TfL, London Underground
RMT responds to Chancellor's Spring Statement
"Unless there is a fundamental shift in the structure of our economy that redistributes wealth toward investment in our infrastructure, housing, and services, the cycle of falling living standards and shifting wealth to the super-rich and corporations will continue for...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Spring Statement, Rachel Reeves
Underpaid, Overworked, ignored – RMT members demand urgent reform for bus industry
Data from two surveys of over 500 bus workers paints a stark picture of a workforce undervalued, overworked, and exposed to daily risk.
Key findings:
· 72.6% say low pay is the main reason colleagues are leaving the job, with many...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Bus Workers
Foreland Shipping seafarers overwhelmingly reject pay offer
85% of RMT members want a better deal and the union has written to the employer calling for an urgent meeting with management in an effort to resolve the matter and avoid the need to move to a ballot for strike...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Foreland Shipping, Seafarers
Staff cuts undermine accessibility, Transport Select Committee report confirms
RMT gave oral evidence to the inquiry in September 2023 after the previous Government pushed plans to close nearly 1,000 ticket offices and cut around 2,300 station staff jobs.
These controversial plans were only scrapped after a massive public backlash, led...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Transport Select Committee, Staff Cuts, Accessibility
Outsourced cleaners will take strike action on Merseyrail
Despite repeated attempts to negotiate, outsourcing firm Churchill Services has refused to put forward an acceptable offer, leaving workers no other option but to take strike action.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said:
“Churchill must recognise that our members are...
Region: North West
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Merseyrail, Churchill Services, Cleaners
RMT responds to Labour welfare cuts announcement
Eddie Dempsey RMT general secretary said: "Welfare cuts target people who rely on support to survive, including disabled people, carers, the unemployed, and those in insecure work.
“For the past 40 years our economy has been marked by low investment,...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Welfare Cuts, Labour Party
RMT calls for greater seafarers' protections on third P&O anniversary
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said:
“The government has taken some big steps in the right direction.
“But there is more to do to stop another P&O Ferries from happening.
“We want to continue to work with ministers to go...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, P&O Ferries, Fire And Rehire
RMT accepts Avanti deal, ending rest day working dispute
The agreement, secured after several days of strike action, delivers significant improvements for Train Managers, including:
- Pay rates increasing to time plus a quarter, and time plus a half for Saturdays and Sundays.
- Minimum shift payment rising from six hours...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Avanti West Coast, Train Managers, Rest Day Working
RMT calls for e-bikes ban on Tube
The incident could have been far worse if the e-bike had been inside a tube train, putting those on board at severe risk.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "TfL needs to take immediate action and ban e-bikes from...
Region: South East and Anglia
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Tube, Underground, e-bike, London Mayor, Sadiq Khan
North Sea Collision
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Our thoughts are with all the seafarers working on both vessels and their families.
“A collision on the open seas is a deeply troubling incident and the resulting fire has international attention. Not only...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Stena Immaculate, Solong
Eddie Dempsey elected as RMT general secretary
He previously served as RMT’s Senior Assistant General Secretary, and will take over from Mick Lynch tomorrow (Friday 7 March.)
Mr Dempsey has been a leading figure in the union’s campaigns for fair pay, job security, and better conditions for...
Region: National
Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, general Secretary
Fair Pay On First South West
First SW
Camborne 240724
Penzance 240724
Region: South Wales and West; South West
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
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