RMT to ballot EMT staff over pay and arrangements.

[Qwerty133]

http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=174124

RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it is preparing a ballot of a range of different grades from different locations across the East Midlands trains franchise for both strike action and action short of a strike over a failure to make adequate payments and arrangements to reflect the impact of an engineering blockade set to come into force in July.

The union has been informed that due to re-signalling work at Nottingham, there will be an engineering blockade from 20th July 2013 through to 25th August 2013. Our On-Board members at East Midlands Trains have been offered some additional payments during the period of the blockade. However, this offer has been rejected by the union as being totally derisory and greatly inferior to the offer made to drivers for the same period.

RMT is in no doubt that there will be a large amount of disruption during the blockade. Staff will have to travel as passengers to other stations to pick up their re-programmed services and the union is in no doubt that severe delays will be incurred, meaning that staff will incur compulsory and enforced overtime. To compound the matter, no formal offer has been received for our Station, Clerical & Retail Grade members whatsoever.

RMT has consulted with the membership and all the feedback is that our members strongly oppose the position of the company. Therefore we will be conducting the following ballots for strike action and for industrial action short of a strike.

Ballot 1: All of our Senior Conductor Grades based at Derby, Boston, Lincoln, Norwich, Derby and Nottingham.

Ballot 2: All of our Station, Clerical and Retail Grades based at Derby, Beeston, Long Eaton, East Midlands Parkway and Nottingham.

Ballot 3: All of our On-Board Train Managers and Customer Hosts based at Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and St. Pancras.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“RMT will not tolerate a position where our members working lives are turned upside down, for little or nothing in return, to fit in with events that are out of their control and which are set to last for much of the summer.

“We also expect all staff to be treated equally and fairly in respect of any agreements. We would hope that East Midlands trains will see the sense of our position, recognise the anger that is being generated amongst the staff, and enter into further discussions aimed at reaching a fair and equitable settlement of this dispute.”

ENDS

what a joke- balloting staff about not getting as much extra pay as the drivers during the blockade. Also can anyone tell me how this will have any effect on clerical staff and why RPOs aren't being balloted.

 

[asylumxl]

How many times are EMT going to have strike action? It's probably just in my head, but it seems to be quite frequent.

Will this have a big effect on EMT passengers on the MML like previous strikes?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Looking at some of the recent threads, it appears to be the "Season" for rail strike reports. Of course, the oncoming holiday season would have not one iota to do with this and comments that may suggest this should be seen as nothing more than scurrilous scaremongering.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=174124

what a joke- balloting staff about not getting as much extra pay as the drivers during the blockade. Also can anyone tell me how this will have any effect on clerical staff and why RPOs aren't being balloted.

why exactly is it a joke? Please do inform me why there should not be equal treatment?

 

[Qwerty133]

why exactly is it a joke? Please do inform me why there should not be equal treatment?

it is a joke as staff shouldnt be expecting extra pay just for having to pick up and leave trains at different places

 

[yorkie]

it is a joke as staff shouldnt be expecting extra pay just for having to pick up and leave trains at different places

The dispute is over the consequences of that, ie overtime, and what rate it's paid at.

I don't know the details of the sums involved so couldn't possibly judge, but if you can reveal them (you must have the figures to make such a judgement), then the rest of us can form an informed opinion on the matter...

 

[Qwerty133]

The dispute is over the consequences of that, ie overtime, and what rate it's paid at.

I don't know the details of the sums involved so couldn't possibly judge, but if you can reveal them (you must have the figures to make such a judgement), then the rest of us can form an informed opinion on the matter...

have no figures however have heard guards complaining about things such as taxis not being allowed enough time to get between stations

 

[Helvellyn]

So they want compensation payments for compulsory overtime - compulsory overtime suggests that their T&Cs allow this, as they get paid for it, yet they want additional payment on top of this!

 

[55018ballymoss]

I really must be missing something here, but when did it start that staff are expecting extra pay in addition to the overtime rate for working during engineering work?
Based on this, during the engineering blockade last October, I should have been receiving additional payments for the difficulties in getting to my signalbox (dodging all manner of tracklaying machines and equipment), and then for the reduction in facilities (water and sewerage cut for long periods of the blockade due to the track laying).
It beggars belief, people need to get a grip on reality, engineering happens, and no one should be trying to make extra money out of it.

 

[bunnahabhain]

Based on this, during the engineering blockade last October, I should have been receiving additional payments for the difficulties in getting to my signalbox

Well...did you ask for it, or were you offered it?

 

[Tomnick]

I could understand some small amount of compensation perhaps being in order if their base roster is being shuffled around to accommodate all the additional and/or amended turns, which might result in start or finish times being shifted some way (I'm not sure how far a turn can be moved from its rostered start/finish time - an hour, perhaps?), especially if the diagrams don't include enough time for the taxi journeys resulting in a delay to an already later-than-rostered finish.

Our base rosters (in the signalling grade) have been adjusted to cover three extra turns over the weekends during the Notts blockage, and that was rightly subject to local consultation first. We're not getting any compensation for it (nor would I expect any), but then the bulk of our roster, apart from that Saturday eve to Monday morning period, remains unchanged so won't upset any plans that we've made on that basis!

 

[Greenback]

There will be agreed rules for rostering. This will include how much notice is given about such things changes in the base roster, on individaul rosters, and to start and finish times.

If the company wants to unilaterally amend those rules because of the planned engineering works, or negotiations over such amendments have broken down, then I am not surprised that the union wants to ballot staff over the issue.

I don't know much about this particular dispute, but I think it is unlikely that there would have been no discussions of some description between staff side and management before holding a ballot. I also don't think it's likely that the existing rosters would be cost effective (or useable) during the blockade, so that some kind of amendment will be necessary.

It's probably the scale and range of the amendments, both to the rules and the rosters, and the compensation for the flexibility, that is in dispute.

 

[MichaelAMW]

There will be agreed rules for rostering. This will include how much notice is given about such things changes in the base roster, on individaul rosters, and to start and finish times.

If the company wants to unilaterally amend those rules because of the planned engineering works, or negotiations over such amendments have broken down, then I am not surprised that the union wants to ballot staff over the issue.

I don't know much about this particular dispute, but I think it is unlikely that there would have been no discussions of some description between staff side and management before holding a ballot. I also don't think it's likely that the existing rosters would be cost effective (or useable) during the blockade, so that some kind of amendment will be necessary.

It's probably the scale and range of the amendments, both to the rules and the rosters, and the compensation for the flexibility, that is in dispute.

If I am getting the tone of the posters who would not be supportive of this possible "action", I feel there is a question regarding *what* staff would be compensated for. I can't see that, if they will in any case be paid at overtime rates, there is any form of loss to the staff. Issues such as insufficient taxi time require more taxi time, not some poorly defined compensation.

Observing from the outside, I would say that many (most) of the railway staff we see on these forums have a pretty flexible approach to getting the job done, which of course many people in many jobs do. Why not just let that happen? Instead the RMT seems to be creating a dispute that perhaps doesn't actually exist. I'm not saying there aren't a few sticking points over how this 6 weeks will be managed but is it so bad that strike action is the only option?

Just asking... happy to hear more info that proves me wrong!

 

[12CSVT]

So they want compensation payments for compulsory overtime - compulsory overtime suggests that their T&Cs allow this, as they get paid for it, yet they want additional payment on top of this!

Compulsory overtime suggests that they are being forced / bullied / browbeaten into working longer hours than what is stated in their base rosters.

 

[455driver]

deleted because all the "experts" are already at it and I cant be bothered with another thread about "greedy railstaff" when the "experts" dont even know the facts of the dispute! :roll:

 

[A-driver]

deleted because all the "experts" are already at it and I cant be bothered with another thread about "greedy railstaff" when the "experts" dont even know the facts of the dispute! :roll:

Unfortunately that is what tends to happen on here and it's normally the same posters hijacking the threads with their complete ignorance. I would imagine some havnt even read the press release properly and are just jumping on the bandwagon with no idea what is happening or why.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The dispute is over the consequences of that, ie overtime, and what rate it's paid at.

What was the final outcome in this matter ?

 

[trentside]

What was the final outcome in this matter ?

It morphed into a more wide-ranging dispute over a "breakdown of industrial relations".

Staff across the company were balloted, and a yes vote received - for action short of a strike.

See this thread for further details.

 

[Tomnick]

They're still in dispute, and working to rule. Seems to be causing a bit of disruption here and there in the week, but the real problems are reserved for Sundays!

 

[edwin_m]

According to Radio 4 last night, EMT are taking the union to court. Can't find any mention on the BBC website though.

As Sunday work is entirely voluntary for (some?) EMT traincrews, presumably RMT will argue that "action short of a strike" can include not working on Sundays.

 

[Johnuk123]

According to Radio 4 last night, EMT are taking the union to court. Can't find any mention on the BBC website though.

It's everywhere else, The BBC tends to miss some things.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/417980/Rail-firm-plans-RMT-legal-action

A rail company is to take legal action against a trade union over a dispute which is disrupting its services.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It's everywhere else, The BBC tends to miss some things.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/417980/Rail-firm-plans-RMT-legal-action

Bob Crow says that the RMT are determined to defend the unions' position on this matter. Will the union solicitors be instructed to attend the Higth Court sitting in this case, as it is of short notice or would Bob Crow already have had a series of discussions with them should any legal challenge have arisen.

 

[455driver]

According to Radio 4 last night, EMT are taking the union to court. Can't find any mention on the BBC website though.

As Sunday work is entirely voluntary for (some?) EMT traincrews, presumably RMT will argue that "action short of a strike" can include not working on Sundays.

If Sundays are outside the working week (which they are at EMT for the drivers at least) then the drivers are not compelled to work them at all, action short of a strike or not. It will be interesting to see what the manglement are taking the union to court for, ASLEF tried to get Sundays inside but it was manglement that wanted to keep them outside because if they were inside then they would need more staff which would also mean more pension contributions etc so its cheaper for the company to pay overtime for the Sundays.

Not a nice day for a barbecue though is it!

 

[edwin_m]

It's nice barbecue weather here in Nottingham where some of the people concerned probably live, though it's threatening to rain later this afternoon.

Thanks for the clarification 455, I didn't know ASLEF wanted to bring Sundays into the main contract and I assumed the unions would hang onto the present status as a card they can play in situations like this one! I've already posted on here that I think the unions are making a poor job of explaining their grievance to the general public and perhaps this will bring more information out into the open.

 

[AlexS]

It would appear EMT lost their court action against the RMT in the High Court.

http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2013/07/31-union-wins-court-case-against.html

A HIGH COURT injunction sought by East Midlands Trains against the RMT union has been refused by the judge, but peace talks between the two sides are due to restart this week.

EMT had claimed that the union was encouraging its members to go beyond the terms of a work to rule and restrictions on overtime in a dispute over the effects of the Nottingham resignalling blockade, but the RMT had alleged that the company was trying to 'impose new working conditions and to unilaterally rip up procedures and agreements by the company under the pretext of the Nottingham blockade'.

The union's general secretary Bob Crow said: "It's a shame that East Midlands Trains have wasted time and money dragging RMT into court under the cloak of the anti-union laws when they should have been sitting round the table resolving this dispute which is all about treating RMT members on this franchise with dignity and respect in light of the planned engineering works around Nottingham."

East Midlands Trains responded: “Our passengers will be disappointed by today's decision at the High Court.

"Our priority in taking this serious step to commence legal action was to try to protect our customers from unnecessary disruption by the RMT and we continue to believe the union is encouraging its members to take unlawful strike action. We shall be considering our further options.

"While there is no substance to the claims made by the union, we have always remained open to discussions with the RMT and we are pleased that the union has now agreed to talks this week.

“Our focus remains on delivering the best possible service to customers during the Nottingham re-signalling works. We would urge the RMT to end its unnecessary action and work constructively with us to achieve that."

 

[sheff1]

East Midlands Trains responded: “Our passengers will be disappointed by today's decision at the High Court.

I am glad EMT feel able to comment on my behalf :roll:

However, I am not at all disappointed with the decision which, in my view, is the correct one.

 

[142094]

Funny how the High Court sided with the RMT but according to EMT "there is no substance to the claims".

 

[455driver]

Funny how the High Court sided with the RMT but according to EMT "there is no substance to the claims".

Were they referring to the RMT claim or their own "claim"?

 

[Mugby]

I'm happy to see EMT referring to their 'passengers' rather than 'customers'!

 

[brianthegiant]

They seem to have guys with STM security bibs doing platform duties at Beeston & East Midlands parkway the last few days.
the guy at Beeston seemed to be doing informal train despatch (hurrying people onto train). But not actually despatching the train.
So a bit of 'strike breaking' going on...