NETWORK RAIL AND SOUTH WEST TRAINS

TO: THE SECRETARY

ALL BRANCHES & REGIONAL COUNCILS

EXECUTIVE & HO OFFICERS

Circular No. NP/026/12

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

NETWORK RAIL AND SOUTH WEST TRAINS

I write to report on the meeting I attended with Network Rail yesterday. The company outlined their proposal that, as of the 1st April 2012, an alliance will be set up between Network Rail and South West Trains to make the infrastructure and TOCs work in better cooperation.                  

Of course this is McNulty being rolled out.  The company said the employees’ contract would not change and they have not got a safety case yet.  We demanded our representatives are fully consulted and their proposals are not rolled out until fully agreed. 

But quite clearly the foundations are being laid for one of these alliances because the South West Trains’ one is only a trial to be sold off completely to the private sector.                               

We stipulated our policy of full nationalisation but if we could not achieve that then Network Rail should be allowed to run a TOC.  This could then lay the foundations to run all TOCS eventually.      

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Rates Of Pay And Conditions Of Service 2011 – South West Trains

 

NATIONAL UNION OF RAIL, MARITIME & TRANSPORT WORKERS

GENERAL GRADES COMMITTEE

Ref:

Subject

BR2/0001/SWT

Rates Of Pay And Conditions Of Service 2011 – South West Trains

That we note the referendum\ballot result is a s follows:-

Total votes cast                     ...................866

Number voting “Yes”             ..................770.

Number voting “No”              ..................96..

Spoilt Papers                        ....................0

We note the referendum result and accordingly instruct the General Secretary to inform the Company of our acceptance of the offer.

Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.

Date

Decision

Absentees

7/2/12

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE INFORMATION STRATEGY – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

Circular No IR/61/12

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

Our Ref: BR2/15/1

2nd February 2012

Dear Colleagues

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE INFORMATION STRATEGY – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

I have received proposals from South West Trains to transfer the Customer Service Centre at Southampton into Stagecoach Services Ltd. The company are proposing that all future employees are to be employed on Stagecoach Services Ltd terms and conditions and are asking staff to sign individual acceptance letters. SWT are also unwilling to guarantee recognition for this union and our sister union TSSA at Southampton Customer Service Centre and the company does not recognise this transfer as falling under the TUPE Regulations.

The General Grades Committee has considered this matter and has taken the following decision:

“That we note the report on file and the serious implications the company’s proposals could have on our members. The setting up of Stagecoach Service Ltd is clearly a manoeuvre by the company to create a two tier workforce, that has no other remit than to reduce terms and conditions.

Therefore we instruct the General Secretary to take this issue up with SWT immediately and for a full report to be placed back before us at the earliest opportunity. Further we instruct the General Secretary to obtain a legal opinion on the full proposals and for this opinion to be placed back before us within fourteen days. Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.”

I will now be acting on the instructions of this decision and I will keep you advised of any developments.    

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Our Ref: BR2/0001/SWT

 

23rd January 2012 

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2011 - SOUTH WEST TRAINS

 

Further to my letter of 17th January, members will be aware of the
decision taken to conduct a referendum of affected members regarding the
above.

 

Unfortunately, due to problems with the distribution of voting papers in
some areas, it is necessary to rerun this referendum. The new voting
papers will be sent out to members' home address tomorrow and the new
closing date is Tuesday 7th February 2012.

 

All other details will remain the same. Apologies for any inconvenience
caused.    

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Ballot for South West Trains 2011 Pay Offer

To advise that the referendum Ballot Papers are being sent to all RMT Members within South West Trains, to vote on the pay offer of 4.75%

For those members who do not receive the ballot papers please call Freephone 0800-376-3706 or e-mail info@rmt.org.uk or contact your local Representative or Branch Secretary.

RMT & TSSA Merger

Ref: O/5/1

Circular No. MF/7/12

20^th January 2012

To: All Branches and Regional Councils

Dear Colleague,

RMT & TSSA Merger

With reference to the above, the following resolution was carried at the December 2011 Statutory Meeting of the Council of Executives following a meeting between RMT and TSSA which took place on December 2^nd 2011.

“That we note that a joint meeting of RMT and TSSA Executives has taken place.

The General Secretary is instructed that our negotiating team is to continue to engage in discussion with the TSSA on the possibility of a merger between our two organisations.

This Council of Executives is of the view that the time is now appropriate to discuss some fundamental items of principle.

Accordingly, our negotiating team and General Secretary in discussions with his counterpart are developed positions obtained on:

1. The annual conference/AGM as the supreme governing body of the new organisation – its defined powers and composition.

2. The role of the Executive body of the new organisation – whether it would be a management and supervisory body or whether it will be responsible for the governance of the Union between AGMs, have complete policy-making powers, control and settle trades disputes and agreements with companies and instruct and oversee the General Secretary;

3. Union officers – whether they will be elected from among the membership and subject to periodic re-election or whether they are to be appointed by the General Secretary;

4. The new organisation’s political framework.

A report from our negotiating team to be placed before the Council of Executives.

Regional Councils and Branches to be advised.”

With reference to the above, the following resolution was carried at the Council of Executives on Thursday 19^th January 2012.

“That we endorse the actions of our General Secretary on this issue. We note that informal discussions have taken place with the TSSA General Secretary and our own. We call upon the TSSA to have another Executive Committee meeting with us to discuss the aspects of the proposed merger. After this meeting we instruct the General Secretary to call a meeting of all Regional Council Presidents and Secretaries to consult on where we are at present with the merger discussions. The General Secretary to send out a circular, e-mail and text to all Branches and Regional Councils with this decision.”

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Tuesday 17^th January 2012

Circular No. National Policy 003/12/MC

To the Secretary all Branches,

Council of Executive members,

Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Dear Colleagues,

New Inflation Rates

The Office of National Statistics has just published new inflation figures for the twelve months to December 2011. The next release date will be the 14^th February 2012.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) for this twelve monthly period is 4.8%, down from the 5.2% figure for the twelve months to November 2011.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 4.2% for the twelve months to December 2011. This is down 0.6% from the figure for the twelve months to November 2011.

The fall in RPI is the largest fall in annual inflation since between May and June 2009. The largest downward pressures to the change in RPI annual inflation between November and December 2011 came from petrol, oil & other fuels, gas and clothing & footwear. Partially offsetting these were upward pressures from car insurance and telephone charges.

In pay submissions the RMT will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a much greater rate than inflation and your living standards have suffered as a result.

Yours Sincerely

Bob Crow,

General Secretary

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service South West Trains

To advise that the Unions Executive met this week in relation to the offer made by South West Trains on the October 2011 pay award, and the final offer made by the company was 4.75%.

The Unions Executive have made the decision for all members within South West Trains except Drivers to be sent a referendum on the offer with a recommendation to accept the offer.

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2011 – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

To update members on the issue of the South West Trains (October 2011) pay talks, as previously advised the RMT Negotiating team had met with the Company on several occasions to discuss the offers that were proposed to us, and the final offer made by the Company was 4.75%.

The RMT have not accepted this offer, and the Full Company Council Representatives met with the Unions Executive/Assistant General Secretary and the Regional Organiser to discuss this offer and the next steps on this.

In a conclusion out of this meeting the Unions Executive will be having a meeting on Wednesday 11th January where the Executive (Unions Governing Body) will make recommendations on this.

More information will be displayed on this site on this issue with further updates.

South West Trains (Pay Talks October 2011)

To update members on the issue of the South West Trains (October 2011) pay talks, as previously advised the RMT Negotiating team had met with the Company on several occasions to discuss the offers that were proposed to us, and the final offer made by the Company was 4.75%.

The RMT have not accepted this offer, and the Full Company Council Representatives met with the Unions Executive/Assistant General Secretary and the Regional Organiser to discuss this offer and the next steps on this.

In a conclusion out of this meeting the Unions Executive will be having a meeting on Wednesday 11th January where the Executive (Unions Governing Body) will make recommendations on this.

More information will be displayed on this site on this issue with further updates.

Job Descriptions (Retail Grades)

To advise that the Company Council Representatives met with the Company recently to discuss all Job Descriptions within Retail Grades, and the purpose of this was to look through all of these Job Descriptions and ensure that the reporting lines for staff were correct.

After receiving feed back from the Grades affected the Company Council Representatives had discussions with the Company on issues raised about the new proposals and we then reached an agreement to agree the principals of these documents.

The next stage will be for these to be presented to the LDC Representatives to consult with their Managers on these documents.

PENALTY FARE TARGETS, REVENUE INSPECTORS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

Circular No IR/617/11

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

Our Ref: BR2/14/2

15^th December 2011

Dear Colleagues

PENALTY FARE TARGETS, REVENUE INSPECTORS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

I have received the following resolution from our Dorset Rail Branch:

“Dorset Rail Branch is very concerned about SWT setting targets according to depot averages for revenue inspectors, contrary to DfT and TOC agreements. This places pressure on Inspectors to achieve targets by reduced use of discretion and will place them in more conflict situations. We already have members on poor performance due to this illegal action by the company. We urge the General Grades Committee to challenge SWT as a matter of urgency.”

The General Grades Committee has considered this matter and has taken the following decision:

“That we note the resolution from our Dorset Rail Branch and the sentiments expressed within. The constant pressure placed on our members by managers who see no further than the bottom line when it comes to penalty fares is unacceptable. Our members are being forced to be more aggressive with the travelling public to achieve ever increasing targets with the threat of disciplinary action as ‘The Big Stick’. This is just wrong. Therefore we instruct the General Secretary to challenge South West Trains on this issue at the earliest opportunity. Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.”

I will now be acting on the instructions of this decision and I will keep you advised of any developments.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Rates of Pay & Conditions Of Service 2011-South West Trains

Circular No: IR/603/11

Our Ref: BR2/0001/SWT

13^th December 2011

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS AND REGIONAL OFFICES

Dear Colleagues,

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2011 – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

In line with Union policy, a claim was submitted to the Company for a substantial increase in rates of pay and improvements to conditions of service. An initial meeting between the RMT negotiating team and the Company was held, where an offer of a 3% increase was tabled and immediately rejected.

Following further long discussions with the Company, a ‘full and final’ offer of a 4¹/₄% increase was tabled, dependent upon the Union giving an undertaking of ‘business as usual’ during the 2012 Olympic Games. The Company Council viewed this offer as totally unacceptable and recommended that a ballot for industrial action be conducted.

The General Grades Committee considered the matter and made the decision to prepare a ballot of affected members at South West Trains and also to arrange a meeting at Unity House to discuss Guards’ hours and pay.

The Company then advised that, having further considered its position, it is prepared to improve upon previous offers and the following offer was tabled:-

• A 4.75% increase to basic rates of pay (excluding allowances), effective 3^rd October 2011. This offer applies to all grade groups covered by SWT Procedure Agreement 1 but excludes Driver and Depot Drivers grades which are covered under a separate pay review.

• A Joint Working Group to be set up to discuss Guards’ terms and conditions.

• The offer is on the proviso that the Union gives an undertaking that it will be ‘business as usual’ during the course of the 2012 Olympic Games.

The General Grades Committee has considered this matter and taken the following decision:-

“That we note the report from our Lead Officer and the correspondence from South West Trains on file.

Therefore we instruct the General Secretary to arrange a meeting at Unity House to discuss this matter further.

In attendance should be the Assistant General Secretary, the Regional Organiser, members of the General Grades Committee and the full SWT Company Council.

Relevant Branches and Regional Council to be informed.”

I am currently acting in accordance with the above decision and will keep you informed of all developments.

Yours Sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

New Inflation Rates

 

Tuesday 13^th December 2011

Circular No. National Policy 236/11/MC

To the Secretary all Branches,

Council of Executive members,

Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Dear Colleagues,

New Inflation Rates

The Office of National Statistics has just published new inflation figures for the twelve months to October 2011.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) for this twelve monthly period is 5.2%, down from the 5.4% figure for the twelve months to October 2011.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 4.8% for the twelve months to November 2011. This is down 0.2% from the figure for the twelve months to October 2011.

The largest downward pressures came from food, petrol, furniture and clothing. Partially offsetting these were upward pressures from wines & spirits off sales and fuel & light.

In pay submissions the RMT will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a much greater rate than inflation and your living standards have suffered as a result.

Yours Sincerely

Bob Crow,

General Secretary

Slater News Renovation

Circular No MF/86/11

Our Ref: FIN/C001

24^th November 2011

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Slater Mews Renovation

You will be aware that the two flats known as Slater Mews in the rear of Maritime House (one of which was used by former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott) were redeveloped, turning the two flats into five separate flats where members on Union business can use or rent for £24.00 per night.

The renovation cost was approximately £1,000,000.00 and the flats, when converted, were valued at approximately £2,500,000.00.

We took a loan over 25 years to pay for the renovation in March 2005 and I am pleased to say that we have now paid this loan off completely, which is 19 years early.

I would be obliged if you will bring this to the attention of your members.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

South West Trains Pay Talks Update

To advise that your RMT Negotiators have today met with the Company to have further discussions on the Pay Talks for South West Trains, the Company have reviewed their Offer and have now Offered 4.25% on a one Year deal, with the proviso that the Unions would acknowledge that it would be "business as usual" during the Olympics. We have not accepted this offer. The RMT Negotiators are now reviewing the offer, we will keep you all updated on developments on these talks.

Special Meeting for all Rail Workers (McNulty Report)

To advise all that a Special Meeting for all Rail Workers has been arranged in light of the McNulty Report, and this meeting will take place on the 01st December 2011 and will start at 17-00pm.

The Special Guests who will be addressing this meeting are:

Bob Crow (RMT General Secretary)

Alex Gordon (RMT National President)

Kate Hoey (Labour Member of Parliament for Vauxhall)

Manuel Courtes (TSSA A ssistant General Secretary)

This important Meeting will take place in the Function room of the Slug and Lettuce Restaurant at Waterloo (London), the venue from Waterloo Main Line Station is from Exit 6 and head for the London Eye and the Venue is on the approach road to this.

If you require further Information please contact 1 of the Branch Secretaries below:

Rickey Goodman( Waterloo Branch Secretary)

Mobile: 07824 410 568

e-mail: waterloo@rmt.org.uk

or

Jeff Slee (Deptford Branch Secretary)

Mobile: 07984 043 543

e-mail: jfslee@btopenworld.com

You can also click on the Links below for more information:

http://www.facebook.com/RMTunion

http://twitter.com/#!/RMTunion

http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=151889&int1stParentNodeID=89731&int2ndParentNodeID=89763

http://www.facebook.com/events/#!/events/256340177746879/

 

Hope to see you there.

New Inflation Rates

Tuesday 15^th November 2011

Circular No. National Policy 194/11/MC

To the Secretary all Branches,

Council of Executive members,

Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Dear Colleagues,

New Inflation Rates

The Office of National Statistics has just published new inflation figures for the twelve months to October 2011.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) for this twelve monthly period is 5.4%, down from the 5.6% figure for the twelve months to September 2011.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 5.0% for the twelve months to October 2011. This is down 0.2% from the figure for the twelve months to September 2011.

The largest downward pressures came from falls in the cost of food and petrol. Partially offsetting these were upward pressures from clothing, furniture, electricity and gas.

In pay submissions the RMT will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a much greater rate than inflation and your living standards have suffered as a result.

Yours Sincerely

Bob Crow,

General Secretary

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS – No. 7

Dear Colleagues

RMT & TSSA MERGER

With reference to the above, I can confirm that the following statement was issued by Gerry Doherty and Bob Crow today:

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS – No. 7

“TSSA and RMT held discussions on 4, 11 and 18 October 2011 concerning the possible merger and creation of a new union.  These discussions have been wide-ranging and constructive as reported in our previous statements.

A number of differences between our two organisations have emerged as a result of these discussions and as previously reported in our last JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS – NO.6 (dated Wednesday 19 October 2011) further discussions are required.

In order to facilitate future discussions it is likely that an informal joint meeting of our respective Executive Committees will take place within the next month prior to the next round of joint talks. We will of course keep you updated on developments as they occur.”

SIGNED:

Gerry Docherty (TSSA)

Bob Crow (RMT)”

RMT Pay Bulletin October 2011

Circular No. NP/200/11/MC

31^st October 2011

H.O. Ref: R14/5

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, REGIONAL OFFICES,

COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES & HO OFFICERS.

Dear Members,

RMT PAY BULLETIN

October 2011

The Office of National Statistics has just published new inflation figures for the twelve months to September 2011.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) for this twelve monthly period is 5.6%, up from the 5.2% figure for the twelve months to August 2011.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 5.2% for the twelve months to September 2011. This is up 4.5% from the figure for the twelve months to August 2011.

The largest upward pressure to annual inflation came from:

Housing & household services where the upward effect was driven by gas and electricity

where average bills rose this year by 13.0 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively between

August and September but were unchanged a year ago.

In pay submissions the RMT will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a much greater rate than inflation and your living standards have suffered as a result.

Recent non-RMT settlements

Company /Sector	Award	Effective From
Sainbury’s	· 2.7% increase to basic pay	4 Sept 2011
Sellafield	· 2% increase in basic pay (in each of 2 years)	1 Apr 2011
Moto	· 2.5 increase to basic pay	1 Oct 2011

Recent RMT Settlements
Company	Award	Effective From
Shipping & Offshore
Offshore Diving Personnel	· 7.1% increase to basic pay	1 Nov 2011
Maersk Supply Vessels	A 4.5% increase to basic pay, effective 1st July 2011. A 4.5% increase to increment scales from £334 to £349 per year per increment on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th years of anniversary in the rank	1 Jul 2011
Gulf Offshore	A 3% increase, plus 1% seniority for those members who are entitled to receive it, backdated to 1st July 2011.	1 Jul 2011
Caldedonian MacBrayne	An increase of 2%, effective from 1st October 2011. An increase of 4.25% in 2012. An increase of 4.25% in 2013 with an opportunity to increase this to 4.75% dependant on the achievement of agreed savings being made by year three. It is agreed that if RPI is above 5% in years 2 or 3, the Union reserves the right to reconvene with the employer. A reduction in the method of payment for training days from 2 for 1, to 1.5 for 1 with the understanding that 0.5 must be taken as payment and may not be banked. This would be implemented from 1st January 2012. The Company has set aside £800,000 in year 1 and £100,000 in years 2 and 3. This is to start to resolve existing anomalies in pay and conditions and to work towards a shared objective of consistent, fair and affordable terms and conditions within CalMac.	1 Oct 2011
Clyde Marine (LD Lines)	A 2.7% increase to personnel employed by Clyde Marine Guernsey Ltd employed on the LD Lines vessel Norman Arrow, backdated to 1st August 2011. A £400 bonus for those employed on an ongoing basis for work completed over the winter and during the summer season. A £200 bonus for those employed on a seasonal basis who successfully complete the entire summer season.	1 Aug 2011
DFDS Seaways Short Sea Ratings	A 2% increase, backdated to 1st January 2011.	1 Jan 2011
RFA	A one year award from 1st July 2011 to 30th June 2012. Staff earning £21,000 or below, (including permanent allowances) as at 1st July 2011 will receive a £250 consolidated pay rise. Staff earning £21,000 or above (including permanent allowances) will receive no award in accordance with the Government pay freeze. Staff on incremental pay scales (below the maximum) will receive their incremental pay progression during this pay year. Performance Awards To qualify for a performance award an individual:- Must be in post on 1st July 2011. Must have completed 6 months service with the RFA (contract start date prior to 1st January 2011). Must be performing satisfactorily (an individual on restoring efficiency for performance will not qualify for an award). Performance awards will be paid in relation to substantive grade and staff on sick leave will be paid in accordance with their pay status as at 1st July 2011:- Full Pay – Full Award Half Pay – Half Award Nil Pay – No Award Performance Awards will be paid at the following rates:- CPO (incl. Med Tech Q) £1,000 PO (incl. Med Tech) £900 L/H Rating £800 Trainee £400	1 July 2011
London Transport & Other Metro
London Underground	· Year 1 (2011/12) 5% (with effect from 1st April 2011) · Years 2 to 4 (2012/13 to 2014/15) – February RPI plus 0.5% or 2% whichever is the greater. · The general increase is effective from 1st April for each year of the pay deal (except for staff on Performance Related Pay, where it will be effective 1st July every year).	1 Apr 2011
Train Operating Companies & Freight Operating Companies
Cross Country	· An increase of 4.5%, effective from 28th May 2011. This will cover the grades of Train Manager, Senior Conductor, Revenue Protection and Station Staff. · An increase of 4.5% for all Service Centre Staff, effective from 1st July 2011.	1 May 2011
Workshop & Train Maintenance
Unipart Doncaster	· 2.5% increase to basic pay · Reduction in HGD payments from 10% to 5% Members will not be affected by the reduction in HGD payments contained within the offer as they do not work any Higher Grade Duty.	1 Apr 2011
Road Transport & Bus
Wincanton Enfield Warehouse	· The offer is subject to the acceptance of a new contract on site for new starters, effective immediately. Year One · A 3.4% increase over 7 months, effective from the 1st pay week in September 2011. Year Two · A 2.5% increase, effective from the 1st pay week in April 2012.	September 2011

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Update on 2011 Paytalks

To advise that the RMT Negotiators will be meeting with the Company for the 2nd Meeting on the 01st November to discuss the 2011 Anniversary for Pay for all Grades within South West Trains.

At the first Meeting the Company did not offer a % payrise, the RMT Negotiators have asked the Company to consider a range of items as part of the 2011 Pay award which also include payments for staff through the period of the 2012 Olympics.

We will of course keep you updated on these and future talks on this issue.

Bob Crow's speech at the NO to McNulty rally, October 25, 2011

For those of you who were unable to be there, watch Bob’s speech at the standing-room-only Save Our Railways rally:

please click on the link below:

http://www.rmtv.org.uk/video/video121/index.html

Thanks

Revenue Protection Item

It has been raised to us by several members that the Company are Merging the Revenue Protection with Rail Community Officers, we would wish to advise all that this was not raised with us at the last Company Council Meeting that we had with the Company back in September of this year.
We are meeting with the Company for a Company Council Meeting to discuss Job Descriptions on the 25th October 2011, and we will be raising this issue with them then, we will keep you posted on this after the meeting and will send e-mail update out to you.

Thanks

Regards
Rickey Goodman
RMT Company Council Secretary
Mobile: 07824 410 568
e-mail: rgoodman@rmtmail.org.uk

Michael Campbell
RMT Company Council Rep
Mobile: 07714 667 729
e-mail: mcampbell@rmtmail.org.uk

John Donoghue
RMT Company Council Rep
Mobile:07810 636 425
e-mail: jdgaffer2000@yahoo.co.uk

New Inflation Rates

Tuesday 18^th October 2011

Circular No. National Policy 194/11/MC

To the Secretary all Branches,

Council of Executive members,

Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Dear Colleagues,

New Inflation Rates

The Office of National Statistics has just published new inflation figures for the twelve months to September 2011.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) for this twelve monthly period is 5.6%, up from the 5.2% figure for the twelve months to August 2011.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 5.2% for the twelve months to September 2011. This is up 4.5% from the figure for the twelve months to August 2011.

The largest upward pressure to annual inflation came from:

Housing & household services where the upward effect was driven by gas and electricity

where average bills rose this year by 13.0 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively between

August and September but were unchanged a year ago.

In pay submissions the RMT will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a much greater rate than inflation and your living standards have suffered as a result.

Yours Sincerely

Bob Crow,

General Secretary

Joint Union Statement on RMT/TSSA Talks-No 6

Dear Colleagues

RMT & TSSA MERGER

With reference to the above, I can confirm that the following statement was issued by Gerry Doherty and Bob Crow today:

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS – No. 6

“TSSA and RMT met again as planned on Tuesday 18 October 2011 for further friendly and constructive talks concerning the political strategies for a potential new union.

“There was consensus that a political fund is an essential part of a potential future new union.  The role of our current political funds was discussed which include affiliation to the Labour Party, political education of trade union members and support for organisations and campaigns in line with union policies and rule books. It was accepted that in a potential new union it would be important to have clear prohibitions against political funds being used to support fascist or racist organisations, parties and individual candidates. 

“It was understood that it was important to have parliamentary representation in national and regional parliaments and assemblies. 

“However, further discussions are required on a number of unresolved related issues.”

The next meeting will be held on 1 November 2011 to allow both negotiating teams to attend the lobby and rally of Parliament against the proposals in the McNulty Report.  We strongly encourage all members of both unions to attend this very important event on Tuesday 25^th October 2011 at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster at 12 noon.

SIGNED:

Gerry Doherty (TSSA)

Bob Crow (RMT)