THE RMT national rail strike is back on.
A 24-hour strike has been called for Thursday the 4th of June and a 48-hour strike for Tuesday the 9th June after Network Rail’s ‘new pay deal’ was rejected by the RMT union. The strike will begin at 5pm on Thursday 4th June 2015 until 4.59 pm on Friday 5th June 2015. Then 5pm on Tuesday 9th June 2015 until 4.59 pm on Thursday 11th June 2015.
In addition the RMT has instructed members not to work any overtime, additional hours, extended shifts nor carry out any callouts between: 12.01 am on Saturday 6th June 2015 and 11.59 pm Friday 12th June 2015.
The RMT told its membership: ‘The solidarity and determination of members in the dispute has been incredible and I urge you to keep this up and stand shoulder to shoulder with your colleagues on the days of action. It is abundantly clear from the views of your reps at the meeting that Network Rail’s offer simply isn’t good enough and we demand nothing less than a substantial improvement.’
• Unite rail workers have been consulted over a new ‘derisory’ pay offer. Key rail workers, members of Unite will be consulted on the new offer from Network Rail from Monday June 1. If members reject the offer of a two-year deal, consisting of one per cent this year and 1.4 per cent next year, Unite will ballot them for industrial action, including strike action.
Unite has about 230 members involved in the dispute, carrying out such jobs as electrical technicians, linesmen, maintenance staff and signallers. Because of the timetable for balloting, Unite members won’t be joining the strike action planned by the RMT.
Unite national officer for rail Tony Murphy said: ‘As part of the Network Rail negotiations, Unite will consult its members within Network Rail over the next 10 days about the new offer the company has tabled. A second rejection by our members will result in Unite balloting its members for industrial action.’
