Possible Movement in RMT Dispute.

[Solent&Wessex]

Whilst obviously not wanting to start the usual massive long debate about the pros and cons of having a dispute and going on strike, I thought it worthy of mentioning that there seems to be some movement in the RMT dispute.

The following email has been received, which would suggest that the RDG is able to make a slightly different offer which the RMT would put to a referendum of members, something they have hitherto refused to do.

7 November 2023





Dear RMT Member



DEFEND JOBS, PAY & CONDITIONS - TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES



I presented a report this afternoon to the union's National Executive Committee on recent discussions held with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) with regards to obtaining a proposal document that can be considered by you and your colleagues.



I requested endorsement from the NEC on the following recommendations:



· That the NEC directs me to obtain a fresh proposal on the basis set out in his report

· That fresh proposals received on the basis set out in the report are put to a vote of our members in the TOCs via separate company-by-company referenda

· That rejection of the proposal by our members in a referendum would result in the continuation of the current approach to the dispute in the TOC including the current industrial action mandate

· That proposals that arise from subsequent discussions in each TOC will be subject to NEC scrutiny and decision



Your NEC endorsed the above and I will now be requesting the proposals from the RDG as soon as possible.



I will of course keep you fully advised when this matter is considered again by your NEC.

Yours sincerely,


Michael Lynch
General Secretary

 

[YorkRailFan]

Interesting, I do wonder if any ASLEF members who are members of the forum have received a similar email?

 

[172007]

No

 

[172007]

Interesting, I do wonder if any ASLEF members who are members of the forum have received a similar email?

No

 

[YorkRailFan]

No

Does that mean no you didn't receive an email or no you're not an ASLEF member?

 

[172007]

Does that mean no you didn't receive an email or no you're not an ASLEF member?

No nothing received from ASLEF for members.

 

[Towers]

General concensus seems to be that they’re doing this dispute ‘back to front’; that is they’re dealing with the RMT first rather than Aslef, which is the usual way of things?

 

[dk1]

Nothing here.

 

[YorkRailFan]

No nothing received from ASLEF for members.

Ah OK, thanks, interesting that the RMT has received a new offer from RDG but not ASLEF.

 

[kw12]

Ah OK, thanks, interesting that the RMT has received a new offer from RDG but not ASLEF.

Has ASLEF been in discussions with RDG, as RMT has been? If it has not then this perhaps explains why this approach is solely for RMT.

 

[DennisM]

Maybe the government wants to resolve the dispute so they can claim it’s all thanks to their amazing new anti strike laws. They might even be able to push through more cuts to human rights legislation off the back of the great success.

 

[Midlands5678]

RMT were always months ahead on the dispute process/talks in comparison to ASLEF so it does make sense that the RMT would hear something first.

 

[jon0844]

Maybe the government wants to resolve the dispute so they can claim it’s all thanks to their amazing new anti strike laws. They might even be able to push through more cuts to human rights legislation off the back of the great success.

Perhaps they're realising that they need to resolve all the disputes before an election, and following the outrage over proposals to close ticket offices and subsequently pretending it was the fault of the rail operators, perhaps they're going to pretend to save the day again.

The Government won't want to look defeated, so why not throw the RDG and TOCs under the bus once more?

 

[GardenRail]

Whilst obviously not wanting to start the usual massive long debate about the pros and cons of having a dispute and going on strike, I thought it worthy of mentioning that there seems to be some movement in the RMT dispute.

The following email has been received, which would suggest that the RDG is able to make a slightly different offer which the RMT would put to a referendum of members, something they have hitherto refused to do.

And it can all start again January 2024 with NR Members and TOCs when the RMT/ASLEF puts forward their respective claims for 2024 Pay Increase......

 

[YorkRailFan]

Has ASLEF been in discussions with RDG, as RMT has been? If it has not then this perhaps explains why this approach is solely for RMT.

They have met with RDG, but are behind in negotiations compared to RMT.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I think a lot of people will just be glad that any future offers will likely be balloted on TOC by TOC basis. The one major stumbling block of having everyone in the same pot.

 

[Goldfish62]

I think a stumbling block with ASLEF is that its constitution only allows recommended offers to be put to members.

RMT don't have that problem. The NR offer, which ended up being accepted by a sizeable majority, was put to members without a recommendation.

 

[JonathanH]

I think a lot of people will just be glad that any future offers will likely be balloted on TOC by TOC basis. The one major stumbling block of having everyone in the same pot.

All ballots have been on a TOC by TOC basis. Some of the TOCs had multi year pay deals which meant that their staff joined the dispute later than others. The level of support at each TOC has differed but the overall message is consistent.

 

[Ashley Hill]

that is they’re dealing with the RMT first rather than Aslef,

Once RMT accepts the offer ASLEF usually gets a better one.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

All ballots have been on a TOC by TOC basis. Some of the TOCs had multi year pay deals which meant that their staff joined the dispute later than others. The level of support at each TOC has differed but the overall message is consistent.

I am aware of that.

 

[KM1991]

Waiting for a slightly different offer by this time next week and then it’ll be time for a TOC by TOC referendum on the offers.

 

[Bluejays]

A very small chink of light, at the end of a very long tunnel. But encouraging all the same

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Perhaps they're realising that they need to resolve all the disputes before an election, and following the outrage over proposals to close ticket offices and subsequently pretending it was the fault of the rail operators, perhaps they're going to pretend to save the day again.

The Government won't want to look defeated, so why not throw the RDG and TOCs under the bus once more?

I suspect so.

There was a lot of chatter on Twitter about the King's Speech containing fewer bills than had been expected which, along with the last minute removal by No 10 of the most controversial bill ( the homeless tents thing ) makes me think they'll go to the country somewhat earlier than they have been saying they will.

 

[dk1]

DfT to offer staff:
5% pay rise for 2022,20 months of uncapped back pay, No compulsory redundancies, No change to T&Cs.
Must go to ref.If accepted, strike ballot is over for now. Talks commence in Feb to discuss 2023 pay.

Just seen this posted on X.

 

[Bluejays]

DfT to offer staff:
5% pay rise for 2022,20 months of uncapped back pay, No compulsory redundancies, No change to T&Cs.
Must go to ref.If accepted, strike ballot is over for now. Talks commence in Feb to discuss 2023 pay.

Just seen this posted on X.

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

 

[dk1]

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

Tell me about it mate. Don’t want to get my hopes up too much (I’m ASLEF anyway) but it’s a start.

 

[YorkRailFan]

DfT to offer staff:
5% pay rise for 2022,20 months of uncapped back pay, No compulsory redundancies, No change to T&Cs.
Must go to ref.If accepted, strike ballot is over for now. Talks commence in Feb to discuss 2023 pay.

Just seen this posted on X.

Doesn't it now go to the TOCs?

 

[dk1]

Doesn't it now go to the TOCs?

Not as far as I’m aware. DfT hold the purse strings. TOCs just do as they are told these days and am sure would settle the dispute in a heartbeat.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Not as far as I’m aware. DfT hold the purse strings. TOCs just do as they are told these days and am sure would settle the dispute in a heartbeat.

I believe the TOCs are negotiating, per this post on Twitter/X:https://twitter.com/Staff_stations/status/1722255745654374501

RMT only. Announcement soon Up to TOCs to do the negotiations Basically 2 years wasted

 

[dk1]

I believe the TOCs are negotiating, per this post on Twitter/X:https://twitter.com/Staff_stations/status/1722255745654374501

They’ll just want to know where to sign