Possible Movement in RMT Dispute.

[YorkRailFan]

They’ll just want to know where to sign

By the sound of things, so do some RMT members.

 

[DNCharingX]

I think we all just got the message. Really excited!!

 

[YorkRailFan]

MOU between RMT and RDG signed, per RMT on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/RMTunion/status/1722276654553444843

NEW RMT update on national rail dispute with train operators: Following further negotiations between RDG and
@RMTunion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the current dispute has been developed.
The Memorandum of Understanding sets out a process for a mutually agreed way forward, including a backdated 2022 pay rise for staff and job security guarantees. This will now be put to
@RMTunion
members in each of the Train Operating Companies in a referendum vote.

@RMTunion
general secretary Mick Lynch said: "This is a welcome development and our members will now decide in an e-referendum whether they want to accept this new offer from the RDG."

 

[Solent&Wessex]

All very exciting.

I will be providing you with full details of the proposals and I am preparing a video film that explains the position which will be circulated to you later today, but in summary the proposal provides for:

• An unconditional pay offer, backdated to anniversary in 2022 and paid to accounts before Christmas
• A job security commitment
• A discussion, negotiation and consultation process which will run from February 2024 extending to the end of April 2024

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Nov 2023 ==

Where's the yes box, someone give me a pen !!

Agreed.

 

[Snow1964]

RMT has now issued Press Release

8 November 2023

RMT Press Office:

Following further negotiations between RDG and RMT, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the current dispute has been developed which sets out a process for a mutually agreed way forward, including a backdated 2022 pay rise for staff and job security guarantees.

This will now be put to RMT members in each of the Train Operating Companies in a referendum vote.

If accepted, this MOU will terminate the national dispute mandate, creating a pause and respite from industrial action over the Christmas period and into Spring next year, while allowing for these important negotiations on proposed reforms to take place at local train operating company level through the established collective bargaining structures.

These discussions would be aimed at addressing the companies' proposals on the changing needs and expectations of passengers as well as unlocking further increases for staff, in order to help to secure a sustainable, long-term future for the railway and all those who work on it.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "This is a welcome development and our members will now decide in an e-referendum whether they want to accept this new offer from the RDG."

END

Notes: The referenda across 14 train operators in the national dispute will close Thursday 30 November.

RMT update on national rail dispute with train operators

Following further negotiations between RDG and RMT, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the current dispute has been developed which sets out a process for a mutually agreed way forward, including a backdated 2022 pay rise for staff and job security guarantees.

www.rmt.org.uk

 

[Midlands5678]

It looks like there may be some movement but don't forget the dog tactics the government used the last 2 occasions (Christmas is coming)!

I think all rail staff and our passengers want to see an end to this mess.

The ones that didn't are the government.

Let's hope we can finally begin to move on before we get our new government and they can speak to the people who actually know what they are talking about, so reforms can be implemented FAIRLY.

 

[Kite159]

Will 5% be enough to cover all the lost wages due to the endless strike days?

But good news, I can see some staff simply saying yes as they have had enough after 18 months of action. Although it will probably come back come February with the 2023 pay deal having strings attached

 

[WatcherZero]

Its no compulsory redundancies until 2024, not no compulsory redundancies full stop.

A one year pay deal may end the current round of strikes but it doesnt provide a meaningful medium-long term settlement beyond next spring.
Has the RMT been bought off with a no strikes until the general election deal?

 

[skyhigh]

Will 5% be enough to cover all the lost wages due to the endless strike days?

Given the options were essentially strike or roll over and accept whatever T&C changes the government wanted it seems if I were an RMT member it seems reasonable to me...

It's also 5% that you will now always have in your pay. If you have 5+ years left before retirement I'm sure you'll make up the amount you lost due to strikes (not forgetting of course that lots of RMT members have been free to do overtime and so actually managed to keep the same income).

 

[island]

The BBC rolling TV news is now reporting that Mick Lynch has welcomed the deal, which as well as the mentioned pay rise, guarantees no compulsory redundancies till end of 2024. A 5% pay rise backdated to 2022 will carry a minimum increase of £1,750.

 

[greyman42]

Will 5% be enough to cover all the lost wages due to the endless strike days?

No, but no serious offer is ever going to get that back.

 

[Geeves]

With another potential rise next year and the options to recover some of money lost through back pay I think many RMT members would accept. I will be voting yes. Hopefully others will too.

 

[thedbdiboy]

I think the climbdown by Government on the ticket office closures has played a role here - after all, if they have decided there is no political benefit in bulldozing changes through, then it makes sense to provide some guarantees on jobs rather then playing hardball on issues that are so electorally unpopular that they won't do them anyway. (I recognise too that RMT has been a big part of the alliance that mustered the pushback against the proposals - indeed I think that campaign was more effective than strikes themselves).

 

[Russel]

Its no compulsory redundancies until 2024, not no compulsory redundancies full stop.

No company could ever promise no compulsory redundancies full stop.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

As always the devil is in the detail so I will reserve final judgement until I've seen the actual offer, but it all sounds promising.

 

[footprints]

Isn't this essentially what the Government have been offering since April and the RMT have refused to put to their members until now?

- 5% pay rise for 2022. Check.
- No compulsory redundancies for the foreseeable future. Check.
- End of current dispute with the opportunity to re-ballot in a few months time..Check.

The RMT would appear to have cost their members several days of lost pay for absolutely nothing

 

[Bletchleyite]

The key difference is no T&C change. I would have voted against with that, I would now vote for.

 

[skyhigh]

Isn't this essentially what the Government have been offering since April and the RMT have refused to put to their members until now?

- 5% pay rise for 2022. Check.
- No compulsory redundancies for the foreseeable future. Check.
- End of current dispute with the opportunity to re-ballot in a few months time..Check.

The RMT would appear to have cost their members several days of lost pay for absolutely nothing

Except the changes to T&Cs. Which was the big issue and has now gone.

 

[footprints]

Except the changes to T&Cs. Which was the big issue and has now gone.

What changes to terms and conditions were in the same stage of the previous deal? It was the same principle of progressing to stage two of talks to look at potential reforms which, according to the RMT press release, is still the plan, just phrased in more conciliatory language.

 

[dk1]

Isn't this essentially what the Government have been offering since April and the RMT have refused to put to their members until now?

- 5% pay rise for 2022. Check.
- No compulsory redundancies for the foreseeable future. Check.
- End of current dispute with the opportunity to re-ballot in a few months time..Check.

The RMT would appear to have cost their members several days of lost pay for absolutely nothing

You’re forgetting the changes to T&Cs that went with it. It’s NO strings or NO deal.

 

[coastalview]

Can I just ask if this is being voted on until the 30th November does that mean there will be no strikes called by RMT until after that date?

 

[footprints]

You’re forgetting the changes to T&Cs that went with it. It’s NO strings or NO deal.

There were no strings attached to the previous deal for 2022. Just a pause in strike action while talks about reforms took place, ending the dispute but with the option to re-ballot in three months' time.

It's great news that the RMT are suddenly prepared to consult their members but it's far from clear why this couldn't have happened six months ago.

 

[dk1]

There were no strings attached to the previous deal for 2022. Just a pause in strike action while talks about reforms took place for three months.

A very cheeky thing to ask.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Will 5% be enough to cover all the lost wages due to the endless strike days?

For me, easily. Rdw and Sundays more than covered all but 1 month.

 

[footprints]

A very cheeky thing to ask.

The same proposal would seem to be here again now but the RMT are suddenly fine about it.

 

[dk1]

The same proposal is here again now but the RMT are suddenly fine about it.

This is more of an offer now rather than an offer later if you suspend action which was as I said, a very cheeky ask.

 

[Facing Back]

The same proposal would seem to be here again now but the RMT are suddenly fine about it.

That’s how I’m reading it. I wonder if the jubilation about no strings is premature

 

[skyhigh]

What changes to terms and conditions were in the same stage of the previous deal?

Significantly more.

The main elements of the proposals are as follows:

•     Station Ticket Offices: All to be closed or “re-purposed”, subject to the statutory public consultation process, which RMT does not support.

•     Creation of a new Multi-Skilled Station Grade: station retailing and other grades to be aligned and migrated to new grading and competence structure with some salary protections. There will be a new salary structure for new entrants.

•     On-Board Train Crew Roles: the proposal to introduce Driver Only Operation has been withdrawn. However, companies have stated they could separately make proposals on train crewing through their own companies, separate to this dispute.

•     Train Crew Codes of Practice: the companies have devised detailed codes of practice covering training, diagramming and rostering to be implemented in pursuit of efficiency.

•     7-Day Railway: a Sunday Commitment Protocol is proposed which will make Sunday working mandatory when rostered, if cover cannot be provided.

•     Catering: all catering services to be reviewed on the basis of affordability and value for the companies

•     Fleet Engineering: proposed implementation of new technology and process

•     Training and Briefing: new practices and technology for safety critical and other training.

•     Terms & Conditions: there are various other proposals on contractual terms and entitlements, including:-

o     Flexible Working Contracts for new starters

o     New Technology / Equipment to be adopted without additional payment

o     Station Groups – with staff covering a cluster of stations rather than a home station

o     Attendance Management – industry-wide principles based on ACAS guidelines

o     Stood Off Arrangements to be reviewed

o     Annual Leave Entitlements – new industry-wide entitlements; all staff to have Christmas Day and Boxing Day deducted from general entitlement

o     Sick Pay to be redefined with more stages but with existing entitlement for those with 5+ years' service

o     Company Health Appointments / Medicals etc will normally be during shift working time

o     Review of former BR Conditions of Service: a joint review of those retained conditions, to align with modern working practices

•     Voluntary Severance Scheme: a Voluntary Severance Scheme which will see circa 800 jobs removed, in addition to approximately 800 already removed from the TOCs on the previous round of VSS

It is a condition of the proposals (with the exception of ticket office closures) that all of the above must be accepted and implemented in order for the following to be offered:

•     Job Security: No compulsory redundancies before 31st December 2024

•     Pay:

o     A 5% or £1750 increase, whichever is the greater, effective from the respective 2022 anniversary date

o     A 4% increase, effective from the respective 2023 anniversary date

So, quite a few changes.

RMT receives fresh offer from RDG

Rail union, RMT today received a new offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) following negotiations in the national rail dispute.

www.rmt.org.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Nov 2023 ==

That’s how I’m reading it. I wonder if the jubilation about no strings is premature

The (draft) memorandum of understanding that I've seen makes it clear the backdated pay rise is no strings attached. The 2023 agreement (to be discussed between Feb-April 2024) is based on T&C changes on an individual TOC level and if agreed will be backdated to the 2023 pay review date.

 

[footprints]

Significantly more.


So, quite a few changes.

RMT receives fresh offer from RDG

Rail union, RMT today received a new offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) following negotiations in the national rail dispute.

www.rmt.org.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Nov 2023 ==


The (draft) memorandum of understanding that I've seen makes it clear the backdated pay rise is no strings attached. The 2023 agreement (to be discussed between Feb-April 2024) is based on T&C changes on an individual TOC level and if agreed will be backdated to the 2023 pay review date.

That's a press release from January..That's not the deal that was proposed in April.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Nov 2023 ==

This is more of an offer now rather than an offer later if you suspend action which was as I said, a very cheeky ask.

Previously it was accept the pay rise, get the guarantee on compulsory redundancies and end the current dispute while talks on reforms take place. That was the only string attached before and it's still there now. Nothing seems to have changed other than the RMT's stance on the proposals.

 

[BPN2022]

Let’s hope this puts the RMT one to bed.