Transport secretary's remarks on TOC strikes

[Msq71423]

I've just watched a clip shared on social media, of Mark Harper being interviewed on GB News this morning by Eamonn Holmes. In it he remarks that the RMT should call off next week's TOC strike and put the latest offer to their members, as the latest offer is broadly identical to the Network Rail offer. The only communication I've had from the RMT last week said the RDG would only put an improved offer to the RMT if they called the strike off first before making the offer to them. So is this a case of Mark Harper making the offer to the media before making it to the union?

And if it's a slightly improved pay offer, with (for now) no changes to conditions at a national level (ie. to be determined later on a toc by toc basis), shouldn't this be getting put to a member's vote, or am I misunderstanding something?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Mar 2023 ==

Here is the source of the clip I refer to (apologies meant to include in my original post but it won't seem to let me edit it):

https://twitter.com/GBNEWS/status/1638079295909158916?t=n6_9uE86IYUeMAwBDyAj7g&s=19

'I want the RMT to put what is broadly the same fair and reasonable offer to their members that work for the train operating companies and call off next week's strikes.'

Transport Secretary Mark Harper reacts Network Rail Workers voting in favour of new deal.

Just clicked on the video as it randomly appeared on my twitter feed. If it is now a national pay only offer with no detrimental changes to working patterns surely it needs putting to the union (and to us).

 

[TreacleMiller]

Take the changes in working practice away and it would pass.

Offering the same pay deal to the RMT with significantly more strings attached is not "Broadly" the same is it?

 

[thelongestroad]

I think there's a much higher chance of it passing if they do away with this pissing about with changing rest days and shift patterns at no notice.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Just clicked on the video as it randomly appeared on my twitter feed. If it is now a national pay only offer with no detrimental changes to working patterns surely it needs putting to the union (and to us).

Quite agree that there is little point in any offer unless it is put to the people affected.

 

[jon0844]

Anyway, the RMT resumes talks today so I assume the transport secretary was trying to preempt things and hoping to streer the narrative towards the union having to accept as it's such a great deal and everyone else is a accepting the same pay offer, so if the union doesn't play ball then they're just greedy etc.

 

[Krokodil]

If it is now a national pay only offer with no detrimental changes to working patterns surely it needs putting to the union (and to us).

But that's not what's on the table.

 

[SECR263]

Can you read anywhere what actually the government wants to offer and what the RMT opposition is to the offer.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Can you read anywhere what actually the government wants to offer and what the RMT opposition is to the offer.

Mick Lynch was on BBC radio 4's "world at one" yesterday - listenable on Sounds. Didn't really say anything new, but was at pains to stress several times that it was the member's snap poll that gave him the mandate to do what he is doing.

 

[Bertie the bus]

I've just watched a clip shared on social media, of Mark Harper being interviewed on GB News this morning by Eamonn Holmes. In it he remarks that the RMT should call off next week's TOC strike and put the latest offer to their members, as the latest offer is broadly identical to the Network Rail offer. The only communication I've had from the RMT last week said the RDG would only put an improved offer to the RMT if they called the strike off first before making the offer to them. So is this a case of Mark Harper making the offer to the media before making it to the union?

And if it's a slightly improved pay offer, with (for now) no changes to conditions at a national level (ie. to be determined later on a toc by toc basis), shouldn't this be getting put to a member's vote, or am I misunderstanding something?

The RDG said nothing about making a new offer if the strikes were called off and Mark Harper doesn’t suggest in any way a new offer is on the table, What he says is also factually correct – it is broadly the same value of a deal.

To answer the question would a no strings attached pay deal similar to or better than the one already offered end the dispute? Almost certainly yes. Is that the deal Network Rail employees were offered? No. Is there any possibility of TOC employees being offered that? No.

 

[scrapy]

It does seem quite ironic that the government/TOCs plans for 'modernisation' of working practices is completely at odds with the governments supposed policy of making things easier for workers to access childcare (most childcare providers need at least a weeks notice for changes) and helping people with families return to work. You could say that this 'modernisation' is really a step backwards if employers can move shifts and rest days with minimal notice.

 

[43066]

To answer the question would a no strings attached pay deal similar to or better than the one already offered end the dispute? Almost certainly yes. Is that the deal Network Rail employees were offered? No. Is there any possibility of TOC employees being offered that? No.

Is there any possibility of the RMT members where I am accepting what’s currently on the table? No.

 

[Msq71423]

The RDG said nothing about making a new offer if the strikes were called off

The email received on the 8th from RMT reads as follows:

"I received an invitation from the RDG to attend a meeting with them to discuss a potentially improved offer on pay and the terms and conditions associated with the offer. However, this was on the condition that the planned strike action on Thursday 16th and Saturday 18th March be suspended."

I believe we are still in the dark as to what this improved offer is.. it would be nice to find out though sooner rather than later.

 

[dk1]

ASLEF met today & are meeting again on 4th April on a TOC by TOC basis.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

And in a letter from the RMT this morning:

22 March 2023





Dear RMT Member



DEFEND JOBS, PAY & CONDITIONS - TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES



Talks between your union and the Rail Delivery Group with regards to the national rail dispute adjourned at 7pm last night and will continue this morning.



I expect to report back to your union's National Executive Committee this afternoon. I will then advise members of any developments and decisions taken by the NEC.

Yours sincerely,



Michael Lynch
General Secretary

 

[class 9]

ASLEF met today & are meeting again on 4th April on a TOC by TOC basis.

As it should have been from the start!

 

[43066]

ASLEF met today & are meeting again on 4th April on a TOC by TOC basis.

It has all gone very quiet! I suppose, since no further strikes have been called, we can assume talks are progressing well.

It sounds as though they’re trying to agree a few national principles, with everything else to be decided at a local level.

 

[class 9]

It has all gone very quiet! I suppose, since no further strikes have been called, we can assume talks are progressing well.

It sounds as though they’re trying to agree a few national principles, with everything else to be decided at a local level.

Yes, this is what has been communicated to members.

 

[dk1]

It has all gone very quiet! I suppose, since no further strikes have been called, we can assume talks are progressing well.

It sounds as though they’re trying to agree a few national principles, with everything else to be decided at a local level.

Yes seems that way and trying to look at it with my glass half full. We have a fresh FDW agreement in place until March 2024.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Mar 2023 ==

As it should have been from the start!

I most certainly agree.

 

[EZJ]

Yes I would expect something positive to come on the ASLEF side shortly. I also believe a Rest Day agreement for TPE is due to be accepted in the near future.

 

[plebb11]

It has all gone very quiet! I suppose, since no further strikes have been called, we can assume talks are progressing well.

It sounds as though they’re trying to agree a few national principles, with everything else to be decided at a local level.

Two strikes planned for next week 30th and 1st already

 

[class 9]

Pledd11, the extract you quoted was regarding ASLEF, they've no new strike dates, the dates you mention is RMT members.

 

[KM1991]

RMT strike next week for TOC members has been suspended. More information to follow tomorrow.

 

[plebb11]

Yes my bad,
Also those rmt strikes have just been suspended