Network Rail RMT dispute settled.

[theageofthetra]

Doo wasn’t mentioned in the signallers/maintenance deal. This deal allows a massive extension of doo on a toc by toc basis as they can now go after Aslef with a very large offer to extend/introduce!

Doesn't help at one of the worst paid TOCs who already have DOO

 

[LowLevel]

They will be getting the same card as non safeguarded TOC staff. 75% discount for all walk up fares.

There are more restrictions on the NR card.

No Caledonian Sleeper, Arriva Rail London, Eurostar, Grand Central, Hull Trains, London Underground or Elizabeth Line discounts.

It's also online only.

 

[DarloRich]

It should do as that is a walk up ticket

But you can only buy the discounted tickets on line.

No Caledonian Sleeper, Arriva Rail London, Eurostar, Grand Central, Hull Trains, London Underground or Elizabeth Line discounts.

Indeed - but since launch TfW has been added so hopefully more can be added in due course

 

[Starmill]

It was removed from the national proposal. Extension at a more local level remains a risk.

It's more of a risk because of the absence of any national principles though. Or even any agreements at all between TOCs and RMT at the moment. As industrial action has been taking place for around a year, and negotiations have failed so badly over far longer than that, we've now reached the point where existing agreements are pretty meaningless.

All of the conductor jobs at Barnham and Brighton were very likely to go anyway for example with the end of class 313s, RMT could have negotiated an enhanced package for anyone leaving as part of that reorganisation, but they've effectively chosen not to by remaining in dispute, so now those Conductors will get what they're given. An agreement on broad principles at Network Rail will smooth all of this detail over.

 

[Tw99]

It's mildly hilarious if the RMT is now presenting the pay rises as a huge win, when they're hardly different from what was "totally unacceptable" a couple of months ago. The "magnificent campaign" mentioned in the letter has certainly got the employers to move a bit on their offer, but who knows if it was worth the short term cost to the workers, and long term cost in loss of passenger confidence. Certainly the changes to working conditions, which many here claimed was what the dispute was all about, seem to be going ahead anyway, so that seems quite unlike a win.

 

[DMckduck97]

With NR settled, the TOC mandate the expires in may will be about as far as it goes, not a chance it gets through for another 6 months

 

[BluePenguin]

There are more restrictions on the NR card.

No Caledonian Sleeper, Arriva Rail London, Eurostar, Grand Central, Hull Trains, London Underground or Elizabeth Line discounts.

It's also online only.

How about Lumo?

 

[High Dyke]

How about Lumo?

Yes:

LUMO Staff discounted (priv-rate) tickets can be bought from RST Online.

Source: https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/doclink/rail-staff-travel-guide-for-holders-of-the-rst-online-leisure-card

Network Rail members who now qualify for this staff travel card do need to read the correct document about purchasing tickets and what the travel does and doesn't allow you. Please read carefully.

 

[RHolmes]

With NR settled, the TOC mandate the expires in may will be about as far as it goes, not a chance it gets through for another 6 months

I’d take your crystal ball back to the shop, it’s faulty.

I’ll happily be backing another 6 months of action yet again. On top of the existing dispute and it’s currently issues there’s 2023’s pay award to be discussed yet. Not withstanding that with every month that passes the DfT manage to insult the workforce further, adding fuel to the fire that is their employee relations.

 

[bazzarati]

It's mildly hilarious if the RMT is now presenting the pay rises as a huge win, when they're hardly different from what was "totally unacceptable" a couple of months ago. The "magnificent campaign" mentioned in the letter has certainly got the employers to move a bit on their offer, but who knows if it was worth the short term cost to the workers, and long term cost in loss of passenger confidence. Certainly the changes to working conditions, which many here claimed was what the dispute was all about, seem to be going ahead anyway, so that seems quite unlike a win.

Mildly hilarious...?

 

[Horizon22]

Interesting - lots of people on twitter celebrating this as a huge win and saying the workers have won, and that with a 14.4% pay rise and the government have capitulated

Of course all sides will claim it as a win and spin it the way that suits them. In fact if that is the case it's normally good as it represents a decent compromise, plus the fact it was 3:1 in favour.

 

[High Dyke]

This has unsettled a lot of guards at my TOC…… They feel like this could be their death nail

Rest assured, there are those Ops staff on Network Rail that feel that management attacks on terms and conditions will not simply go away.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

This is a good outcome, lets hope the RMT continue to agree further terms and sort out the TOC offer.

 

[Silverlinky]

to be clear, the actual payrise figures are 5% and 4% aren't they? With the back pay date pushed back this can be dressed up to show the figures that are being quoted, but unless i'm mistaken, it is a 5% rise for 2022 and a 4% rise for 2023?
The RMT are also saying that 75% of NR employees are on less than 35k a year so will see the greatest benefit. Again, the definition of "low paid" can be pushed backwards or forwards to capture more of fewer people at higher rate (or the minimum cash value, at least £1750?)

 

[SCDR_WMR]

With NR settled, the TOC mandate the expires in may will be about as far as it goes, not a chance it gets through for another 6 months

You sure? Some TOCs would take what's on the table. Absolutely no chance of agreeing at our place. Our mandate was stronger 2nd time around

 

[bazzarati]

Rest assured, there are those Ops staff on Network Rail that feel that management attacks on terms and conditions will not simply go away.

This dispute has done a lot of damage to relations between management and ops. We have heard NR crying poverty about pay offers while management simultaneously flaunting how much cash has been pushed there way to divide staff and try and break strikes to operate during strike days. Even extending to roster clerks to punish strikers and HR. There's going to be big problems in the months ahead. Big problems. Watch out for those wild cats...

 

[alxndr]

Yes. T&C changes have been imposed...at least in the south west &, I am told but can’t confirm, everywhere else with some cajoling in the Glasgow area.

T&Cs aren’t being changed. Working practices haven’t changed and nothing has been agreed yet in Glasgow as far as we’ve been told.

 

[Annetts key]

Despite the acceptance of the pay offer, that still leaves the problem of modernising maintenance, which the RMT is still against.

Not all consultations have concluded on this. The next item is for the company to decide on the voluntary severance/redundancies (well, the first phase at any rate).

Given that over 3300 employees applied, and Network Rail said that due to the current high levels of vacancies, only around 900 could actually get VS/VR, it will be interesting to see what the mood is for those that remain.

 

[Goldfish62]

Mick Lynch has just said on R4 that the RMT has accepted the NR pay and benefits offer, and the travel benefits, but not the changes in working conditions.
Redundancies at NR are also off the agenda, he says.

The RMT members have accepted the NR deal put forward end of.

 

[Dan G]

to be clear, the actual payrise figures are 5% and 4% aren't they? With the back pay date pushed back this can be dressed up to show the figures that are being quoted, but unless i'm mistaken, it is a 5% rise for 2022 and a 4% rise for 2023?
The RMT are also saying that 75% of NR employees are on less than 35k a year so will see the greatest benefit. Again, the definition of "low paid" can be pushed backwards or forwards to capture more of fewer people at higher rate (or the minimum cash value, at least £1750?)

Yes I think so. I think the initial NR offer was miserly (2% consolidated 2% cash) but the 25 July offer was 4% for 2022 from 1 Jan 2022 and 4% for 2023 from 1 Jan 2023. So the strikes have gained members 1%. Against how many strike days? Doesn't seem to have been worth it to me.

Redundancies are delayed to 2025.

 

[FenMan]

There's going to be big problems in the months ahead. Big problems. Watch out for those wild cats...

Be careful what you wish for.

That would merely assist the DfT, who would likely insist the TOCs concerned issue summary dismissal notices to those involved. And the RMT couldn't lift a finger without being sued out of existence.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Interesting - lots of people on twitter celebrating this as a huge win and saying the workers have won, and that with a 14.4% pay rise and the government have capitulated

Unsurprising really as Twitter rarely bares any resemblance to reality. There is no way this could be described as a crushing defeat for the RMT but the reality is it is more of a defeat than a win for them and it most definitely isn't a huge win.

 

[InOban]

In his R4 interview, ML repeatedly said that it was the democratic decision of the members, without, it seems to me, expressing any enthusiasm. I wonder if he was taken aback by the size of the majority.
I think he also said that negotiations with the TOCs would start tomorrow.

 

[Boski]

Doo wasn’t mentioned in the signallers/maintenance deal. This deal allows a massive extension of doo on a toc by toc basis as they can now go after Aslef with a very large offer to extend/introduce!

What does this mean for tocs like SWR and GA who already have deals with guards? Do them deals have to still be honoured?

 

[Goldfish62]

Watch out for those wild cats...

When were there last wild cat strikes in the UK?

 

[TUC]

So the rail industry continues to be a drain on the national economy through a settlement that appears to be far higher than the one most health unions are recommending for acceptance by their members.

 

[Snow1964]

It seems there is a reference to trying to settle the TOC disputes in the Radio 4 interview with Mick Lynch, from tomorow.

It isn't clear to me if some could get to a vote whilst others are still being negotiated. I suppose NR went to a vote whilst TOCs disputes were open so there is a precedent.

I am guessing some are nearer an acceptable outcome than others, but which might get agreed and which might stay open longer is not something I can forecast

 

[Bertie the bus]

So the rail industry continues to be a drain on the national economy through a settlement that appears to be far higher than the one most health unions are recommending for acceptance by their members.

No. It is effectively a self-financing real terms pay cut with conditions attached that haven't been attached to other sectors' settlements. This really isn't an RMT victory.

 

[RHolmes]

So the rail industry continues to be a drain on the national economy

Also contributes to the national economy both directly and indirectly, the benefits of which outweigh costs

 

[bazzarati]

So the rail industry continues to be a drain on the national economy through a settlement that appears to be far higher than the one most health unions are recommending for acceptance by their members.

Far from being a drain on taxpayers, research shows that the railways benefit the wider economy 2:1 from any subsidy received from the taxpayer (&since it was government and psychotic Labour that pushed for the lockdowns that damaged the industry- you broke it, you fix it)! Ask anyone in hospitality or entertainment how much they've suffered during strike days and you'll get the point...