Rail strike set for next weekend

Many of the staff have transferred to National Rail from the private sector

Rail maintenance workers will strike on the weekend of 14-15 June over jobs and conditions, the RMT has said.

The union said more than 12,000 Network Rail staff in England, Scotland and Wales would walk out for 30 hours from midday on the Saturday.

The RMT accused Network Rail of using talks to drive down conditions and of threatening job cuts.

Network Rail said the RMT's demands were "ridiculous" and there could be delays over the weekend.

Flexible working

Many of the staff have been brought in-house to Network Rail from the private sector.

The RMT is angry that the company has not put them all on the same terms and conditions and is asking for flexible working.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "The company has been using the talks to try to drive down our members' conditions, but our reps were shocked when the true extent of the company's agenda was revealed to them last week.

"We already knew that the company's idea of harmonisation was a wholesale attack on conditions, but on top of total flexibility, multi-skilling, dangerous cuts in team sizes and an end to any idea of work-life balance, they are now talking about a jobs cull as well."

Contingency plans

Network Rail said the union's demands included higher pay and a 34-hour week across the board.

A spokesman said: "We are clearly disappointed as negotiations were continuing with the next meeting scheduled for two weeks time.

"Contingency plans are in place and we are planning to run a full normal service on the strike days.

"Those who chose to strike will be the ones who really suffer by missed pay and risking a reduction in their annual bonus.

"Our door remains wide open but we cannot meet the RMT's present ridiculous and unaffordable demands that would cost the company over �100m and seeks to raise pay by 25%."

The company said it should be able to maintain normal services unless there were track or signal failures requiring immediate attention - which could result in speed restrictions.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version