As previously stated there was no indication in the thread (without clicking to an external source) what the current arrangement was, so it sounded like the RMT and employees wanted a better deal. So I pointed out there has to be a limit, otherwise employees end up paying indirectly for the benefit and in most cases getting nothing out of it. Having sick pay instead of £30 extra on your pay each month might be deemed acceptable, but would having very lengthy sick pay over £100 per month extra pay?
Doesn’t matter what link we’re talking about or where the information came from; your post equates to misinformation.
The facts are, you made reference to employers not being being able to pay unlimited sick pay.
No one has, to my knowledge, posted anything about arguing for unlimited sick pay. Nor has it ever been reported anywhere in the media that railway staff are paid ‘unlimited’ sick pay, because this isn’t the case. I think everyone understands there has to be a limit on sick pay, hence the current policy of 6 months 100% / 6 months 50% then statutory. Of vital importance if you are facing treatment for cancer, major operations or some other longterm condition.
YOU are the only person that mentioned it which is why several of us have pulled you up on on this.
And, no one that I’m speaking to wants money in their pocket over the existing sick pay arrangements. Nor is anyone, to my knowledge, asking for enhanced sick pay.
It’s simply that the RMT, and this will apply to ASLEF also, won’t accept an attack on their sick pay i.e., diminished T’s & C’s
I don't think anybody in the indusry really thinks that a Labour government is a silver bullet that is going to resolve all the issues currently at play
But it’s clear that there is now a significant amount of bad faith and distrust on both sides , and an unwillingness for serious negotiations . Of course some of the issues are caused by officials within the DFT who wont be changed with a change of government . But it’s clear people think that a change in government might at least allow a proper reset in relations to take place and for some negotiations to take place in good faith .
I’d second that
Labour won’t have a magic wand to sprinkle magic dust over the railways
But, I’m inclined to think that a Labour Gov will be more conducive to discussions taking place, whereby both teams of negotiators can at least trust one another to act in good faith
Can you think of occasions where picketing has actually brought about the resolution of an industrial dispute in recent times?
Yep. Barristers who went out on strike in 2023 and forced the Gov into increasing their pay by 15% on legal aid fees for Crown cases
+£3m for case preparation
+4m prerecorded cross-examinations
Women’s equal pay act 1970 introduced after the 1968 Ford Dagenham sewing machinist strike.
1880 gas workers & dockers went on protracted strike after doing 16hr days, winning an eight hour working day which was passed in parliament and became the new norm.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation research finds that heavily unionised workplaces in the private sector achieve higher pay awards through collective bargaining. They report a direct correlation between fewer hours lost to strikes and lower wage rises.
History tells us that strikes can bring about positive change provided there is a collective willingness for negotiation….. wink wink Tories