"Our Ref: BR2/15/4
TO ALL RMT MEMBERS (EXCLUDING DRIVERS) AT TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES
30th August 2024
Dear RMT Member,
DEFEND JOBS, PAY AND CONDITIONS - TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES
As previously reported, your Union has been in constant communication with the Department for Transport, with your negotiating team pressing the DfT for a set of proposals that will seek a resolution to this dispute.
I have now received an email from the Department for Transport stating their intention to send a pay proposal for all-grades (non-driver) for years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 at the same level as that for the drivers. This will be supplied as soon as cross-department approvals are given.
This would mean that the proposals from the DfT would be as follows:
• Year 2023/24 - 4.75%
• Year 2024/25 - 4.5%
This offer would see RMT members receiving the same pay rise over the three years of the dispute. The above offer and previously agreed offer results in a compounded 14.94% pay rise, with an additional underpin already implemented for RMT members who had salaries under £35,000 for year 2022/23.
The proposals set out by the DfT are a significant improvement on what had previously been suggested by the Rail Delivery Group. The proposal would apply to all companies and is unconditional. Additionally, it is not connected to the previous workforce reform strategies that were being pursued by the Rail Delivery Group over the course of our industrial dispute.
There will be further discussions on industry-wide issues such as utilising new modern learning techniques & methods of training, with customer service training as a core skill (incorporating ticketing, accessibility, and information). Additionally, embedding the use of current and future technologies enabling new methods of working, and optimising resource planning and utilisation.
Separately, a meeting will be convened within the next six months to discuss staff travel arrangements.
Where TOCs have tabled productivity proposals previously, these talks are expected continue locally under the respective TOC collective bargaining arrangements.
The pay proposals are not dependent on the outcome of these discussions.
Your Union's National Executive Committee has considered the proposals from the DfT and has acknowledged that the offer has been made in good faith and represents a reasonable set of proposals that defends jobs, pay, conditions and pensions. Therefore, once a full set of proposals have been received from the DfT, the Union's NEC has instructed me to hold an e-referendum of you and your colleagues to have your say on the above proposals.
Acceptance of the proposals in the e-referendum would result in confirmation letters from the TOCs being lodged with your union. We would then advise each Train Operating Company, who would confirm the settlement via the collective bargaining structure, concluding the dispute and our campaign successfully.
I will write to members again following receipt of the full proposals from the DfT.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Lynch
General Secretary"
