RMT-SWT COMPANY COUNCIL UNION NEWS

NETWORK RAIL AND SOUTH WEST TRAINS

2012-02-10T05:59:00.001-08:00

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

2012-02-07T07:04:00.001-08:00

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

2012-02-02T07:51:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-23T23:16:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-22T11:08:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-20T06:58:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-17T03:02:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-14T10:31:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-12T05:54:00.001-08:00

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)

2012-01-12T05:30:00.000-08:00

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)

2012-01-12T05:26:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-15T07:39:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-13T10:37:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-13T10:09:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-04T14:26:00.001-08:00

Circular No MF/86/11

Our Ref: FIN/C001

24^thNovember 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

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

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)

2011-11-19T09:54:00.001-08:00

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

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

2011-11-16T07:37:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-04T09:48:00.001-07:00

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

2011-11-03T04:34:00.001-07:00

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 1^st July 2011. A 4.5% increase to increment scales from £334 to £349 per year per increment on the 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th and 9^th 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 1^st July 2011.	1 Jul 2011
Caldedonian MacBrayne	An increase of 2%, effective from 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st January 2011.	1 Jan 2011
RFA	A one year award from 1^st July 2011 to 30^th June 2012. Staff earning £21,000 or below, (including permanent allowances) as at 1^st 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 1^st July 2011. Must have completed 6 months service with the RFA (contract start date prior to 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st April for each year of the pay deal (except for staff on Performance Related Pay, where it will be effective 1^st July every year).	1 Apr 2011
*Train Operating Companies & Freight Operating Companies*
Cross Country	· An increase of 4.5%, effective from 28^th 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 1^st 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 1^st pay week in September 2011. Year Two · A 2.5% increase, effective from the 1^st pay week in April 2012.	September 2011

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Update on 2011 Paytalks

2011-10-30T14:16:00.001-07:00

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

2011-10-30T13:09:00.001-07:00

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

2011-10-23T04:16:00.001-07:00

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

2011-10-19T12:25:00.001-07:00

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

2011-10-19T10:14:00.001-07:00

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)

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS – No. 5

2011-10-12T12:54:00.001-07:00

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. 5

“TSSA and RMT met again as planned on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 for further friendly and constructive talks concerning the democratic structures of our respective unions. Our talks focussed on the workings of Annual Conferences, Executive Committees, Regional/Divisional and Branch structures.

“It is clear that there are a number of similarities in the structures of both organisations for democratic accountability and also a number of areas were identified, which require further more detailed discussion. These areas include the shape, size and composition of the geographical structures to which branches will be attached; the respective roles of both the Annual Conference and the Executive Committee; and integrating both grades and equalities/diversity representation into democratic structures of a potential new merged union.

“We recognise that wider consultation will be required once these issues have been further explored.

“We intend to continue to meet and explore further the organisational and democratic questions raised by a potential merger between our unions, in line with the express decisions of our respective Executive Committees and Conferences. All developments will be reported to our respective union executives. In addition we will continue to agree joint statements to members, branches and activists.”

SIGNED:

Gerry Doherty (TSSA)

Bob Crow (RMT)

2011-10-05T11:17:00.001-07:00

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. 4

“TSSA and RMT met again as planned on Tuesday, 4 October 2011 for friendly and constructive talks to discuss sectoral and geographical organisation of our respective union memberships and possible future opportunities for trade union organisation in the event of a potential merger in the transport, travel and offshore energy sectors currently represented by the two unions. It is clear that there are very substantial overlaps between our two unions in terms of industrial and sectoral organisation and in our existing structures as well as significant potential areas for growth and new organisational opportunities for a merged trade union in the sectors we organise.

"We discussed a broad range of principles, including that any new union organisation resulting from a merger between us will be based on lay member-led Branches and that every individual union member will be attached to a union Branch. The primary functions of the Branch will be to campaign and to promote the organisation of workers in our sectors into the trade union, the representation of members and to be the foundation of a sound democratic structure in order to ensure accountability of the union to its members.

"Branches will be allocated their own financial resources based on an agreed formula. The spheres of influence and numbers of Branches in a merged union will be a matter for discussion under an agreed process that will fully involve all relevant parts of the merged union organisation at local, regional, divisional and national level.

"We recognise that different members in different sectors may have different aspirations and organisational needs, which will need to be fully considered in the process of branch organisation as part of any merger. Particular groups of members will need to continue to be grouped together in order to maintain a collective identity within a merged union organisation, i.e. shipping and offshore grades, bus workers, management grades, travel trade, etc. Consultation with these groups of union members through their respective union structures to ensure that their identity and their democratic rights are protected is an essential part of the process we have outlined above."

We intend to continue to meet and explore further the organisational and democratic questions raised by a merger between our unions. All developments will be reported to our respective union executives. In addition we will continue to agree joint statements to members, branches and activists.”

SIGNED:

Gerry Doherty (general secretary TSSA)

Bob Crow (general secretary RMT)

RMT PAY BULLETIN September 2011

2011-09-30T12:13:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/183/11/MC

30^th September 2011

H.O. Ref: R14/5

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, REGIONAL OFFICES,

COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES & HO OFFICERS.

Dear Members,

RMT PAY BULLETIN

September 2011

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

The Retail Price Index (RPI) for this twelve monthly period is 5.2%, up from the 5% figure for the twelve months to July 2011.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 4.5% for the twelve months to August 2011. This is up 0.1% from the figure for the twelve months to July 2011.

The main upward pressures to annual inflation came from clothing, fuels & lubricants, furniture & household goods and domestic heating

The main downward pressure to annual inflation came from transport services, particularly passenger transport by air, sea and rail. There was also a downward pressure from recreation & culture, particularly from games, toys & hobbies and, to a lesser extent, recording media and data processing equipment.

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.

National Minimum Wage

The rates of the National Minimum Wage have changed. There are three levels of minimum wage, and the rates from 1 October 2011 are:

	Current rate	Oct 2011	% increase
Adults	£5.93	£6.08	2.5
18-2O year olds	£4.92	£4.98	1.2
16 and 17 year olds	£3.64	£3.68	1
Apprentice rate (under the age of 19 plus older apprentices in the first year of their course)	£2.50	£2.6O	4

In submissions to the Low Pay Commission, the RMT will continue to argue that the National Minimum Wage must be set at a significantly higher level to ensure that all workers are kept out of poverty; that the regulations must be extended to all seafarers serving in UK territorial waters to help safeguard minimum standards and that the age-related NMW rates should be abolished and the full adult rate be paid from 16 (until the school leaving age is raised to 17 in 2013 and 18 in 2015). The Union will also continue to campaign for the NMW to be set at half male median earnings as soon as possible, building towards the eventual goal of two-thirds of male median earnings.

Recent non-RMT settlements

Company /Sector	Award	Effective From
Vauxhall	· 5% increase to basic pay	1 Sept 2011
Philips Lighting	· 3% increase to basic pay	1 Apr 2011
Jacobs E&C	· 2% increase to basic pay	1 Jul 2011

Recent RMT Settlements
Company	Award	Effective From
*Shipping*
Isle of Man Steam Packet	· A 3.5% increase to basic rates of pay	1 Jan 2011
*Catering*
At Seat Catering	Year One · A pay offer of 5% effective. An increase in the commission threshold from £560 to £565 per week. Year Two · A pay offer of either RPI (based on February 2012 figure) or 3% whichever is the greater, effective from pay anniversary of 1^st April 2012. Year Three · A pay offer of either RPI (based on February 2013 figure) or 3% whichever is the greater, effective from pay anniversary of 1^st April 2013.	1 Apr 2011
*Train Operating Companies & Freight Operating Companies*
Merseyrail Guards	Year One · An increase of 5.5% Year Two · February RPI 2012 or £25,550 (Equates to 4.1%), whichever is greater. The following additional items were also proposed by the Company as part of the offer:- · Compensatory leave where the rest day falls on either Christmas Day or Boxing Day has been confirmed as a permanent change to guards’ terms and conditions. · An agreement to discuss the feasibility of all committed time being payable post April 2012. · This offer is subject to supporting the implementation of the Integrated Resource Management System. · Guards opted into Smart Pension Salary Sacrifice Scheme with a 28-day opt-out clause. · An agreement with the company to enhance the on-train customer service.	1 Apr 2011
Merseyrail Drivers	Year One · A 5.5% increase to basic pay effective 1^st January 2011. Year Two · An increase of November RPI or a ceiling of £39,000, whichever is the greater. The following additional items were also proposed by the Company as part of the offer:- · Where a rest day falls on either Christmas Day or Boxing Day, a compensatory day’s leave will be granted to be taken before the 31^st March of the following year. · All committed time will be payable and Merseyrail will engage with Northern Rail to explore the feasibility of an all-line PT&R. · This offer is subject to supporting the implementation of the Integrated Resource Management System.	1 Jan 2011
DB Schenker Groundstaff	· A pay award of a 2.50% increase on basic salaries	1 Apr 2011
DB Schenker Ex-Colas MPV	· A pay award of a 2.50% increase on basic salaries	1 Apr 2011
Chiltern Railways	Year One · a 5% increase on basic pay and allowances. Year Two · With effect from 1^st April 2012, an increase of 3.65% or February 2012 RPI (whichever is greater), on basic pay and allowances. Year Three · With effect from 1^st April 2013, an increase of 3% or February 2013 RPI + 0.25% (whichever is greater), on basic pay and allowances Additionally, the company are offering the following elements:- 1. Special Bank Holidays: Any future bank holidays that are granted over and above the normal statutory entitlement will be paid as follows:- Any member of staff who is required to work (rostered or rest day) will receive payment at time and one quarter (t1/4) plus a compensatory day. Staff with a rest day off or annual leave will receive a compensatory day. 2. Olympics: The Company are offering a commitment to convene a meeting with all unions party to the Chiltern Railways Collective Bargaining Agreement to address the service requirements for all operations during the Olympics and Para Olympics scheduled to take place in 2012, with a view to concluding these discussions by 24^th December 2011. 3. Travel: The Company are offering a commitment to continue to talk to our colleagues in London Overground, Arriva Trains Wales and Cross Country with a view to agreeing a non-contractual entitlement for reciprocal travel for our staff. 4. Leave: The Company are offering a commitment to enter into meaningful discussions with the unions to review any inconsistencies in the leave arrangements for customer service staff with a view to concluding these discussions prior to commencement of the 2012 annual leave year.	1 Apr 2011

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Pay Talks with South West Trains

2011-09-24T08:17:00.001-07:00

Dear Colleague

To advise you all that the first meeting has been arranged for your RMT Negotiating to meet with South West Trains to discuss the October 2011 pay review, this meeting has been arranged to take place on the 20th October 2011.

We will keep you posted on developments on this meeting as soon as we have concluded this first meeting

As you can see the date of the meeting is well past the Anniversary date of the 2011 pay award

Your Negotiators for the RMT are as below:

Peter Skelly (Regional Organiser)

Rickey Goodman (Company Council)

Michael Campbell (Company Council)

David Butler (Company Council)

Thanks

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS - No. 3

2011-09-24T08:15:00.001-07:00

Dear colleague,

Proposed RMT/TSSA merger - statement no 3

The following statement has been issued today

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS - No. 3

"TSSA and RMT met on Saturday/Sunday 17/18 September 2011 to discuss the structures, operations and cultures of both unions. We each delivered presentations on our membership, democratic structures, political affiliations, staff structures, officials and offices and took the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications. Talks were positive and will now move onto a series of regular meetings to explore further the possibility of developing a new union.

Regular meetings will begin on 4th October 2011 and developments will be reported to the respective union executives as they occur. In addition we will continue to agree joint statements to members, branches and activists."

SIGNED: Gerry Doherty (general secretary TSSA)

Bob Crow (general secretary RMT)

RMT & TSSA MERGER

2011-09-09T10:55:00.001-07:00

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:

"Colleagues,

Further to our previous joint trade union message (dated Friday, 12 August, 2011) regarding merger talks between RMT and TSSA, our negotiating teams will meet over two days following the TUC Congress next week.

The aim of this meeting is to allow both negotiating teams to better understand each other's unions in terms of our respective structures, operation and culture.

We will of course continue to keep you abreast of developments as they occur."

Gerry Doherty

Bob Crow

New Inflation Rates

2011-08-22T10:20:00.001-07:00

Tuesday 16^th August 2011

Circular No. National Policy 153/11/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 July 2011.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) for this twelve monthly period is 5%, unchanged from the figure for the twelve months to June 2011.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 4.4% for the twelve months to July 2011. This is up 0.2% from the figure for the twelve months to June 2011.

Upward pressures on the CPI came from a number of different ‘areas’, the largest being:

miscellaneous goods & services where the upward pressure came from a wide variety of goods and services but by far the largest contribution came from financial services where, overall, fees rose this year but fell a year ago, particularly for arranging mortgages

clothing & footwear where prices, overall, as usual fell between June and July due to the summer sales season. Prices this year fell by less (-3.5 per cent), though, than a year ago (-4.9 per cent). The upward effects came from men’s and children’s outerwear

furniture, household equipment & maintenance where prices also usually fall between June and July due to the sales season. Again, though, prices fell by less this year (-1.1 per cent) than a year ago (-1.9 per cent). The most notable upward effects came from most types of furniture & furnishings and household textiles

housing & household services where the largest effect was due to increases in housing rent, particularly for social housing provided by registered social landlords

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.

Additionally, rail fares have increased by July RPI + 3%. This means that train operating company regulated fares will increase by 8%.

Please see attached a table which shows the increase in rail fares in the constituencies of DfT Ministers.

Yours Sincerely

Bob Crow,

General Secretary

2011-08-12T09:54:00.001-07:00

Dear Colleagues

Please see today’s statement below:

STATEMENT 1 FROM GERRY DOHERTY & BOB CROW

TSSA and RMT historically met today, 12 August 2011, to discuss the possibilities of a merged union.

A series of meetings will be held to discuss key issues and objectives recognising that both unions have separate Rule Books and traditions.

Both unions will use their own democratic structures to consult and agree with members and wish to conclude these discussions as soon as possible as industrial attacks are taking place more intensely on transport and travel workers.

The respective union negotiating teams are:

RMT

Alex Gordon, Mick Cash, Malcolm Dunning, Owen Herbert and reserve Mick Thompson

TSSA

Harriet Yeo, Mitch Tovey, Manuel Cortes and Frank Ward

RMT & TSSA MERGER

2011-08-12T09:51:00.001-07:00

Ref: O/5/ I

Circular No. MF/40/11

l0th August 201 I

To: All Branches and Regional Councils

Dear Colleague,

RMT & TSSA MERGER

With reference to the above, the following was placed before the Council of Executives for
consideration on Friday 5'h August.

"Discussions have taken place between myself and the General Secretary of TSSA over
proposals for both Unions to come together and merge. We are recommending to
both Executive Committees that there are two teams, RMT and TSSA respectively, and
each team should consist of four members. Obviously TSSA will pick their own team
but I recommend that the RMT team consist of the President, Senior Assistant General
Secretary and two Council of Executive members (one Shipping & Offshore, one
General Grades). lf any disagreements arise from joint discussions both myself and the
General Secretary from TSSA will become part of the committee.

I propose the following. Firstly discussions to commence on l2th August and though not
an exhaustive list of agreement the items will be as follows

Local Branch Structure
Local Representative Structure
Regional Structure
Executive Committee
Full Time Officials
Political Affiliation
Timetable towards full merger."

My recommendation was adopted by the Council of Executives and discussions will take
place accordingly. I will keep Branches and Regional Councils advised of all developments.

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Stop the fare hikes: demo for fair fares

2011-08-11T11:51:00.001-07:00

Event Date: August 16 2011

Stop the fare hikes: demo for fair fares

Date: 16th August 2011
Time: 8.30 – 9.30 AM
Place: across from Waterloo station (corner of York Way and Sutton Walk). See the meeting point marked on a map

As part of their austerity cuts, the government is planning to raise fares by 28% by 2015. We want to stop them.

Such massive fare rises will be a disaster for people already struggling with rising costs and frozen wages. People won’t be able to afford to get to work, or will be forced to drive – creating more traffic jams and more carbon emissions. Trains should be an essential public service, not a luxury for the rich.

Join us on the day we’ll find out exactly how high fares will be next January to send a clear message to the government: Affordable public transport is vital – cancel the fare hikes and don’t price us off the train!

We’ll be outside Waterloo station in London with placards, banners and plenty of outrage. Come by for half an hour on your way to work (any time between 8.30 and 9.30 AM) to pop giant balloons to show that it’s time to burst the bubble on inflation-busting fare hikes. Or make it the start of a summer day out in London. Either way, help us show the government that we won’t take their unfair fare hikes lying down!

Invite your friends via the Facebook event

Brought to you by Campaign for Better Transport, with support from Bring Back British Rail, Climate Rush, RMT and TSSA

2011-08-03T09:27:00.001-07:00

Head Office Circular: NP/146/11

Our Ref: HSS 5/8

02^nd August 2011

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES
WESSEX REGION

Dear Colleague

ELECTION FOR NATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – CASUAL VACANCY REGION 12/WESSEX

Further to Head Office circular NP/114/11 and at the close of elections, I am pleased to announce that Rickey Goodman of Waterloo Branch has been elected into the casual vacancy for district 12/Wessex Region of the National Health & Safety Advisory Committee.

The results are as follows:

Rickey Goodman: 1,444 votes and Jim Udale: 751 votes.

Rickey will take up his position immediately.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all colleagues.

Yours sincerely

General Secretary

RIGHT TO BE ACCOMPANIED/REPRESENTATION AT FACT FINDING INVESTIGATORY MEETINGS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS (BR2/4/4)

2011-07-26T11:12:00.001-07:00

Circular No IR/314/11

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL OFFICES & REGIONAL COUNCILS

28^th July 2011

Dear Colleagues

RIGHT TO BE ACCOMPANIED/REPRESENTATION AT FACT FINDING INVESTIGATORY MEETINGS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS (BR2/4/4)

It has come to my attention that South West Trains managers have been initiating disciplinary action at Fact Finding meetings which therefore become the first stage of the disciplinary procedure. Under the employment legislation employees have the right to be accompanied at disciplinary meetings, however informal/investigatory meetings are not covered by this legislation and management can refuse a “request to be accompanied”.

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

“That we note the correspondence from Thompsons Solicitors outlining their legal opinion regarding the issue. Therefore we instruct the General Secretary to write to South West Trains informing them that any fact finding or other meeting that is convened without the ‘request to be accompanied’ being granted must not result in the following:

· The administration of a formal warning to a worker

· The taking of some other action in respect of a worker

· The confirmation of a warning issued or some other action taken

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

BRITAIN’S TWO LARGEST RAIL UNIONS AGREE TO MERGER TALKS

2011-07-25T09:46:00.001-07:00

FROM RAIL UNIONS RMT AND TSSA

PRESS RELEASE

22 July 2011

Immediate

BRITAIN’S TWO LARGEST RAIL UNIONS AGREE TO MERGER TALKS

The TSSA and RMT unions today agreed to commit to formal talks which could ultimately lead to a merger of the two unions. Initial discussions will focus on closer working between both unions initially through a federation structure with a view to moving towards a merger.

Both unions also agreed that the door will remain open for other smaller specialist unions in transport who may be thinking along similar lines to join the discussions at a future date.

Commenting on the decision, TSSA General Secretary Gerry Doherty said :

“Today’s decision will hopefully be the start of a process designed to serve the interests of future generations of transport and travel trade workers. We owe an obligation to our children and our children’s children to leave better organisations that protect workers in the very uncertain future that

they currently face”

Speaking on behalf of the RMT, General Secretary Bob Crow said :

“This is a historical day for the trade union movement. These talks will bring together two unions each with over a hundred years of specialising in the transport industry in the interests of workers.”

2011-07-20T11:22:00.001-07:00

My Ref: MRP: 1/8 15th July 2011

Circular No. NP/132 /11

To: The Secretary All Branches & Regional Councils

Dear Colleague,

RAILWAYS PENSION SCHEMES – 2010 ACTUARIAL VALUATION

As I am sure you are aware the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS) tri-annual actuarial valuation is presently being carried out by the scheme Actuary and as part of this consultation process the RMT, along with other trade unions, has been having discussions with railway management about these results.

The draft valuation results reveal that the majority of RPS sections are in deficit although some are showing a surplus. The Actuary has indicated that like other UK pension schemes which are in deficit this can be contributed to a number of factors, including poor investment returns and improvements in mortality.

As with past valuation, talks between management and the trade unions have centered on the affordability and sustainability of the RPS. The Actuary has outlined a number of options which could be used to reduce each sections deficit, which include further increases in employer and employee pension contributions and benefits changes.

The valuation results for each section are still to be finalised and whilst there has been discussions about reducing future pension liabilities, the RMT’s policy will be to protect existing and future pension benefits.

I would therefore like to remind all RMT representatives that no agreement should be reached on amending contributions or benefits, either through Pensions Committees or in direct discussions with the employer, without prior consent from Head Office. Details of any employer proposals should be forwarded immediately to Head Office.

The RPS 2010 Actuarial Valuation must be completed by 31^st March 2012. If, however, there are any proposed changes to RPS pension arrangements a member consultation period will begin at least 60 days before the 31^st March 2012.

I shall, of course, keep you advised of developments.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow,

General Secretary

2011-07-20T11:08:00.001-07:00

Circular No IR/292/11

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL OFFICES & REGIONAL COUNCILS

21^st July 2011

Dear Colleagues

USE OF AGENCY STAFF – SOUTH WEST TRAINS (BR2/13/1)

Further to Circular No IR/279/11 dated 7^th July 2011, this matter has once again been subject to a recent consideration by the General Grades Committee, which has taken the following decision:

“A meeting with members of the General Grades Committee, Regional Organiser and Company Council Representatives in attendance took place at Unity House on 13^th July 2011 to discuss the outsourcing of Train Presentation at Guildford and Staines.

We note that the company’s justification for their actions is based around problems that they have in retaining Train Presentation Staff.

This problem we believe is of the company’s own making and if South West Trains employed directly, instead of through a third party that are paying just above the minimum wage, their retention issues would disappear.

We instruct the General Secretary to write to South West Trains, informing them of our opposition to any outsourcing of our members’ jobs.

Further we instruct the General Secretary to organise a recruitment drive specifically for these Grades with the resources and expertise of the Organisation Unit made available.

A personal letter to be sent to all relevant members within South West Trains.

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

New Inflation Rates

2011-07-12T08:25:00.001-07:00

Tuesday 12^th July 2011

Circular No. National Policy 127/11/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 June 2011.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) for this twelve monthly period is 5%, down 0.2% from the previous figure of 5.2% for the twelve months to May 2011.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 4.2% for the twelve months to June 2011. This is down 0.3% from the figure for the twelve months to May 2011.

By far the largest downward pressure to the change in CPI inflation came from recreation and culture where prices, overall, fell by 0.9 per cent between May and June this year compared with a rise of 0.5 per cent between the same two months a year ago. The fall this year was a record for a May to June period. The main downward effects came from games, toys and hobbies, particularly computer games, and from audio-visual equipment and related products, where price discounting this year of items such as digital cameras, DVDs and televisions contributed to the downward movement.
There were also large downward pressures from:

miscellaneous goods and services where prices, overall, were little changed between May and June this year compared with an increase of 0.6 per cent between the same two months a year ago. The downward effect came from a wide variety of goods and services with the largest contribution coming from insurance where premiums rose by less than a year ago
communication, driven by telephone equipment and services, particularly mobile phone charges
second-hand cars which fell in price this year but rose a year ago

By far the largest offsetting upward pressure to the change in CPI inflation came from food and non-alcoholic beverages where prices, overall, rose by 0.9 per cent between May and June this year but fell by 0.1 per cent between the same two months a year ago. The upward effects came from a wide range of product groups, most notably from bread and cereals, meat, and milk, cheese and eggs. In each case, prices rose this year across a range of products compared with falls a year ago.
There was also a large upward pressure from fuels and lubricants where prices fell this year by less than a year ago. Petrol pump prices fell by 0.7 pence per litre between May and June this year to stand at 135.6 pence per litre. This movement compares with a fall of 2.6 pence per litre between the same two months a year ago.

The next publication date will be 16^th August 2011.

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

Telephone Lines Unity House

2011-06-25T03:58:00.001-07:00

Dear all

Please be advised that BT have now repaired the fault and the telephones at Unity House are now working.

Thank you for your patience.

Unity House: Temporary Phone lines

2011-06-20T03:26:00.001-07:00

Unity House: Temporary Phone lines

Due to continuing problems with RMT telephone lines, BT have provided a number of mobile phones which have been allocated to each department at Unity House.

While the main switchboard number (020 7387 4771) is diverted to an additional mobile, the switchboard will be unable to transfer calls and will provide the caller with the number for the relevant department.

The numbers are:

Industrial Relations...07918 778498
Membership...07918 778164
Finance...07918 674146
Personnel & Constitution...07918 693444
Press/Communications...07918 674157
National Policy...07918 767901
South East Regional Office...07918 77867
Private Secretary...07918 778456

RMT PAY BULLETIN June 2011

2011-06-16T06:55:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/107/11/MC

15^th June 2011

H.O. Ref: R14/5

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, REGIONAL OFFICES,

COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES & HO OFFICERS.

Dear Members,

RMT PAY BULLETIN

June 2011

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

The Retail Price Index (RPI) for this twelve monthly period is 5.2%, unchanged from the previous figure of 5.2% for the twelve months to April 2011.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 4.5% for the twelve months to May 2011. This is unchanged from the figure for the twelve months to April 2011.

The largest upward pressures on the level of CPI inflation came from:

alcohol and tobacco with the effect coming from wine and beer partially offset by spirits. Prices, overall, of wine and beer rose this year but fell a year ago, particularly for new world wine and lager. Whisky and vodka prices were the main causes of the downward contribution from spirits

miscellaneous goods and services where prices, overall, rose by 0.6 per cent between April and May this year compared with an increase of 0.2 per cent between the same two months a year ago. The upward effect principally came from appliances and products for personal care

The next publication date will be 12^th July 2011.

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
SKF Bearings	· 4% increase to basic pay	1 Jan 2011
Colt Telecom	· 2% increase to basic pay	1 Jan 2011
Housing 21	· 1% increase to basic pay	1 Apr 2011

Recent RMT Settlements
Company	Award	Effective From
*Infrastructure*
Volkerail	An increase in annual leave entitlement to 25 days per annum with immediate effect in 2011. A one-year increase in the loyalty bonus of £150 to £425.78. This will apply between 1^st April 2011 and 31^st March 2012 only.	1 Apr 2011
Babcock	· A basic rate increase of 3% for all employees covered by Procedure Agreement 1 (General Collective Bargaining). This is subject to the following conditions:- Working Away From Home In the first instance, the Company will seek volunteers where working away from home is required. It is expected the existing level of flexibility should resolve most problems. However, in the event there are insufficient volunteers, this will be resolved via discussion with recognised trade unions. Pay Interval All remaining staff that are on full-time employment contracts and currently paid weekly to be paid on a 4-weekly basis as per normal arrangements. The Company will offer the appropriate financial support to allow this small number of employees affected to make the adjustment to 4-weekly pay. Terms and Conditions The Company and Trade Unions will agree an appropriate method for transferring former staff of Jarvis and Carillion and current staff in Plant and Workshop Supervisor grades to standard Babcock Rail terms and conditions of employment. It is recognised that while this transfer will be subject to a positive ballot within each work group, it is a mutual benefit to the Company and the Trade Unions that such a transfer should take place and that every effort will be made to achieve this outcome.	1 Apr 2011
Colas Rail	Two Year Pay Deal · 1^st April 2010: 1.5% increase on all base wages · 1^st January 2011: 0.5% increase on all base wages · 1^st April 2011: 2.0% increase on all base wages ·	1 Apr 2010
*Network Rail*
Network Rail Operations and Customer Services, Project and Engineering Support Staff and National Functions.	Year One A 5.2% increase (November 2010 RPI + 0.5%) Year Two An increase of November 2011 RPI + 0.5%, with effect from 1^st January 2012. General Summary An improvement in travel subsidy facilities to 75%, with a maximum subsidy value of £2250 on all applications from the 1^st July 2011 onwards. Olympics Arrangements Summary (Copy attached) · An Olympic premium payment of £3.50 per hour for staff whose duties are affected beyond the normal requirements of their job during the Olympics period. · In certain locations where meal availability is restricted, appropriate meal provision will be made, or Network Rail shall provide a meal allowance of £5 paid net of tax. · Furthermore the union has agreed dispute management procedures for the period of the Olympics and Paralympics. · RMT will participate in an Olympics working group which will discuss the Olympics arrangements in terms of staffing levels, health and safety and explain and discuss the company’s overall plans. More detail can be found in the attached document.	1 Jan 2011
*Train Operating Companies & Freight Operating Companies*
National Express Baron House Contact Centre Staff	· A one-off payment of £100 (net of tax) to all full time staff with pro rata for part-time staff.	-
First Capital Connect	Year One · Salaries together with dynamic allowances will be increased by 5.5% Year Two · Salaries together with dynamic allowances to be increased by 3% or February 2012 RPI whichever is greater from Sunday 1^st April 2012. · Revenue Protection Staff on the GN line of route will be eligible to receive the attendance allowance on the same terms as the allowance is applied to Station Staff on the GN line of route. This allowance will replace the existing revenue protection bonus scheme. The allowance will be dynamic and will be increased in line with the salary review uplift this year. The full year increase available to each member of the Revenue Team will be up to £137.56 taking cognisance of this year’s pay uplift rate. It will be paid pro rata until 31^st December and then will be paid on a calendar year basis. · Revenue Control Officers at Luton Airport Parkway who are rostered permanent night shift will receive an allowance of £6.75 per shift and this amount will be back dated to 1^st November 2010. · The current attendance allowance paid to Revenue Protection Team (excluding RCOs) on the TL line of route will become dynamic with effect from this year. · An undertaking was given to the Pay Review Committee to consider whether there was any scope for bringing together the terms and conditions of Revenue Protection Staff working on the TL and GN lines of route. · In addition to these matters it was agreed that the use of agency staff will be a standing item on the quarterly Customer Services and Revenue Protection Consultation Committees. · First Capital Connect will undertake to pursue with a medical provider, voluntary health checks such as blood pressure, cholesterol level and weight checks.	3 Apr 2011
*Workshop & Train Maintenance*
VAE	· An increase of 4% to basic pay, no strings attached.	1 Apr 2011
Bombardier Derby	Year One A 2% increase on the basic rate of pay for Manufacturing Staff, Manufacturing Staff Team Leaders and Manufacturing Staff Trainers. This award to be backdated to 1^st January 2011. Year Two A 2% increase on the basic rate of pay for Manufacturing Staff, Manufacturing Staff Team Leaders and Manufacturing Staff Trainers. This award to be effective from 1^st January 2012. Plus a further 1% should a contract be signed to supply Thameslink, also awarded from 1^st January 2012.	1 Jan 2011
*Bus & Road Transport*
Stagecoach Eastmidlands, Mansfield & Worksop Drivers	Year One 2^nd May 2011 All duties scheduled to take a bus out of depot will be paid 10 minutes to clearly show the first use check. All duties will attract an additional 5 minutes paid allowance at the end of the duty for paying in. 20^th November 2011 Grade 1 rate will increase by 15p per hour to £8.85. It should be noted that the paid allowances are in addition to the present arrangements where the time for the task was consolidated into the current rates of pay. Year Two 7^th May 2012 Grade 1 rate increased by a further 10p per hour to £8.95. 19^th November 2012 Grade 1 rate increased by a further 10p per hour to £9.05. The next pay review would then be due in May 2013.	2 May 2011
Bournemouth Transport	Year One · An increase of 2.7% in all applicable rates Year Two · A further increase of 2.3% in all applicable rates from 1^st May 2012.	1 May 2011
*Shipping*
Hovertravel	A 2.5% increase on basic rates of pay. An additional quarterly bonus payment at 100% which equates to approximately £125 per person.	1 Apr 2011

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

RMT DEMANDS END TO JOB CUTS AT SW TRAINS AFTER BREAKDOWN CHAOS

2011-06-13T12:21:00.001-07:00

NEWS RELEASE

13th June 2011

Immediate

RMT DEMANDS END TO JOB CUTS AT SW TRAINS AFTER BREAKDOWN CHAOS

Rail union RMT this morning demanded an end to job cuts at South West Trains after the union revealed that another 48 customer service staff are being axed - just days after staff shortages compounded the chaos of the breakdown of services into Waterloo last Thursday evening.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said;

"Just days after staff shortages compounded the chaos of the service breakdowns into Waterloo we can reveal that another 48 customer service staff are due to be axed by South West Trains. We are demanding that those cuts be stopped with immediate effect.

"This is simply about profit taking and company greed - the most recent half year results showed profits of more than £100 million but even that doesn't seem to be enough for the newly be-knighted Sir Brian Souter, whose Stagecoach outfit hold the South West Thames route. Passengers caught in the chaos last week will be rightly outraged.

"We are also demanding an end to the McNulty Review threat to axe guards on all trains. Every report from last Thursday praised the role of the SW Trains guard and the idea that those staff should be next for the chop in the dash to fatten up profits is simply outrageous.

"We want this assault on safety-critical staff posts on South West Trains to brought to a halt right now."

2011-05-22T03:58:00.001-07:00

Circular number: NP230//11/JC

Reference: NP/P11

To: - HO Officers, Executive, Regional Organisers, Regional Councils & All Branches

19^th May 2011

Dear Colleague,

McNulty Review into the Railways

As you will be aware the Government has today published the McNulty report into the railways.

The union has made numerous representations into the McNulty review. Predictably however the report is underpinned by the same ideology that led to the disastrous privatisation of the railways and seems designed to appease the vested interests of the privatised train operating companies.

Essentially passengers and rail workers are being asked to pay the price of the privatization of the railways.

If the Government implements the McNulty report the railway could be set back for decades. There would be a massive cull in railway staff and attacks on terms and conditions and an increased structural safety risks.

The railway will become even more fragmented and complex and will see a significant shift of power to the privatised train operators. The cost of running the railways would increase with the tax and fare payer having to pick up the bill. Further fragmentation of the industry and attacks on rail workers jobs and conditions could lead to significant and protracted industrial relations problems.

Key points and RMT initial analysis are as follows,

The report says our railways are 30% less efficient than European Comparators. It says that this inefficiency is cause by lack of government leadership and fragmentation and that closing this efficiency gap will result in savings of between £740million and £1050 million a year by2018/19.

The report proposed to do this by breaking up Network Rail, longer franchises and attacking staff conditions and paving the way for an attack on regional railways. The report says 35 % of the total savings should come from staff including cuts in maintenance, DOO being the default position for all trains, a review of station staffing and scrapping regulations that protect ticket offices. (See attached document).

The report says Network Rail should just a holding company with route level concessions being operated by subsidies or other organizations and there should be early pilots for joint ventures and concessions of rail infrastructure. The report lines up an attack on regional railways by saying they are about six times more expensive to run per mile than long distance and commuter franchises.

The report has not considered the benefits of re-integrating the railways under public ownership. It has chosen to ignore the fact that billions of pounds is drained from the industry in profits and the evidence that railways in Europe are cheaper for the taxpayer and fare payer because on the whole they are in public ownership and less fragmented. Our research gives a conservative estimate that the cost of privatisation (high borrowing cost, numerous interfaces and dividend payments) mean privatisation is costing the tax payer a billion a year.

Instead, while the report rightly identifies fragmentation of the industry as the main cause of high costs, it then inexplicably recommends further fragmentation and privatisation of the railway by arguing for the breakup of Network Rail and the sale or leasing of its assets to the private train operating companies.

These proposals will increase costs and reduce efficiency leading to poorer services and higher fares. Further fragmentation will also have a significant and adverse impact on the ability of the railways to contribute to strategic objectives such as contributing to economic growth, moving freight to rail and reducing carbon emissions.

Re-introducing the profit motive coupled with fragmenting signal and track maintenance and signalling operations will create a Railtrack Mark 2 and is inexplicable given the woeful safety record of Railtrack. Following the establishment of Network Rail, maintenance and signalling operations were rightly reintegrated and passed to a not-for-dividend company. McNulty would reverse this.

· As stated previously the report proposes significant cuts in train, ticket office and maintenance workers – a false economy which could result in falling passenger numbers. Research by Passenger Focus and others shows that station and train staff are important to passengers for ticket sales, journey advice and general reassurance.

· The call for an assault on jobs and conditions also ignores the fact that rail workers productivity has increased at a greater rate than labour costs. Unlike the very close correlation between the profits of the privatised railway companies and public subsidy, which the report chooses to ignore, there is no correlation between public subsidy and increasing labour costs. Average earnings in the industry are not in excess of those in the wider economy

The report proposes greater commercial freedom for the privatised train operating companies, loosening of fare caps and fares tied to market demand. This will see passengers have to pay even higher fares on top of the eye watering increases already announced by the Government. Our research shows that in the last ten years the real cost of motoring has declined by 8%, the cost of flights has declined by 34% but rail fares have increased by 15% in real terms.

I will be providing a more detailed analysis shortly but in the meantime please be assured that the union will be mobilising a major campaign against these proposals.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

2011-04-24T03:48:00.001-07:00

21^st April 2011

Dear Colleagues,

REGIONAL ORGANISER – LEAVE

I will shortly be commencing my annual leave. My leave period will commence from Monday the 25^th of April 2011 until Monday the 2nd Of May 2011 inclusive.

During my absence from leave would you please direct all correspondence to the Wessex Regional Office details below, or to Brian Whitehead the Relief Regional Organiser who can be contacted on 07917 327321 / b.whitehead@rmt.org.uk .

RMT 2^nd Floor, The Podium

Queens Keep

1 – 4 Cumberland Place

Southampton

Hampshire

SO15 5EJ

N.B please note that the regional office will be closed on the coming bank holidays: 22^nd, 25^th, 29^th, 30^thApril and 2^nd May 2011.

Yours sincerely

Pete Skelly

Relief Regional Organiser

Wessex Region

Mobile: 07920 724862

E-Mail: p.skelly@rmt.org.uk

2011-04-22T09:15:00.001-07:00

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL OFFICES & REGIONAL COUNCILS

Circular No MF/18/11

Our Ref: P/PR/WESSEX

7^th April 2011

Dear Colleagues

RMT Wessex Regional Office Relocation

With reference to the above, I am pleased to announce that the Wessex Regional Office has now moved from Ocean Village in Southampton to a conveniently situated office near Southampton Central train station.

The full details for the office are as follows:

RMT Wessex Regional Office

2^nd Floor, The Podium

Queens Keep

1-4 Cumberland Place

Southampton

Hampshire

SO15 2BH

Tel: 02380 335412

Fax: 02380 333637

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Health and Safety Constituences (Retail Grades)

2011-04-13T10:29:00.001-07:00

To advise you all following recent e-mails that I have sent out to all regarding the above, the RMT have been in negotiations with SWT as have TSSA to look at the Constituencies within the Retail Grades, to advise you all that the agreement has now been finalised and has been signed and agreed by the RMT Regional Organiser and that the Health and Safety Representatives will be grouped in with the respective Area Managers Area and this has been part of the Union's request for paid release to attend the Health and Safety TUC course Stage 2, and more importantly to tidy up the Health and Safety Representatives Areas and Constituencies.

Also the elected Representatives that are in office at the moment will need to be re-elected into the Vacancies that are going to be created, this is because we cannot identify what dates all RMT Health and Safety Representatives started and finished the term of office, so it has been agreed that all positions will be new Vacancies and that the Regional Organiser will be writing to all Branch Secretaries shortly advising them of the changes and seeking nominations through the respective Branches of the Grade Groups for nominees to be elected by the Branch to fill the new Vacancies , and when this is completed the Company will be advised who are the elected Health and Safety Representatives and the Union will arrange for them to attend the respective TUC Health and Safety Course.

To confirm that the existing Health and Safety Representatives will remain in post until the closing date of the nominations which also will be added in the letter from the Regional Organiser, from then all existing H&S Representatives will stand down.

In regards the changes to the above this the 1996 Agreement Procedure 2 (Health and Safety) has also been amended to reflect the above, I will shortly e-mail you the final draft agreement of the positions/constituencies and the copy of the change to Procedure Agreement 2, which will enable you to have an idea of how many vacancies are available.

To confirm that all Guards/Fleet and Drivers Health and Safety Positions remain unchanged, and this only affects Revenue Protection/Rail Operators/Clerical Officers/RCO's/Retail Shunters

Branch Secretaries If you can bring this to the attention of the Branch members at your respective Branch meetings , and if you require any further information on this please do not hesitate to contact me, I have sent this to all existing Health and Safety Reps that I have on e-mail.

2011-04-13T10:24:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/071/11/MC

12^th April 2011

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & EXECUTIVE.

Dear Colleagues,

Inflation Rates Circular

The March rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 12^th April 2011. The next publication date is the 17^th May 2011.

March 2011 retail prices index rate is 5.3%.This is down from 5.5% in February. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 4%, down from 4.4% in February.

By far the largest downward pressure to the change in inflation came from food and non-alcoholic beverages where prices, overall, fell by 1.4 per cent between February and March this year compared with a rise of 0.3 per cent between the same two months a year ago. The 1.4 per cent this year was a record fall for a February to March period. The downward effects were widespread and reflected supermarket led sales this year. The most notable contributions came from fruit where prices fell by 4.7 per cent this year (also a record February to March movement) but rose by 0.7 per cent a year ago, and bread and cereals where prices fell by a record 2.6 per cent this year compared with a fall of 0.2 per cent a year ago.
There were also large downward pressures from:

recreation and culture, principally from games, toys and hobbies (particularly computer games), recording media and data processing equipment
air transport, where fares rose by less than a year ago, particularly on European routes

The largest upward pressures to the change in inflation came from:

housing and household services: prices, overall, rose by 0.4 per cent between February and March this year compared with 0.1 per cent between the same two months a year ago. The main upward effect came from domestic heating costs where average electricity and gas bills rose this year but were unchanged a year ago
purchase of vehicles, where prices rose this year but fell a year ago, particularly for second-hand cars

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

2011-04-07T11:34:00.001-07:00

7^th April 2011 My ref: EO/33

TO: THE SECRETARY

ALL BRANCHES & REGIONAL COUNCILS

Circular No. NP/067/11

Dear Colleague,

ABOLITION OF THE DEFAULT RETIREMENT AGE

As from 6^th April 2011 the law that allowed employers to retire employees at age 65 (the default retirement age) without having to explain why is being phased out. When discrimination on the grounds of age was made unlawful in certain circumstances in 2006, a provision of the legislation enabled employers to retire employees at age 65 without having to explain why, providing they carried out a certain procedure, which allowed for employees to request to work beyond retirement. In future, employees in theory will be able to choose when they want to retire. If the employer forces someone to retire, they will have to justify the decision at an Employment Tribunal if challenged by the employee.

Transitional arrangements have now been set out after considerable confusion caused by legislative drafting errors by the ConDem Government. If an employer retires someone because they are 65 then both the following must apply:-

The notice of retirement must have been given to the employee before 6^th April 2011.

The employee must be aged 65 or over (or the employer’s retirement age, if that is higher) by 30^th September 2011.

If the member has been given this notice, they still have the right to request to work beyond that retirement date and the employer must consider the request as set out in The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006. (This procedure is readily available from Head Office.)

Any dismissal on the grounds of retirement notified from 6^th April on, if not objectively justified by the employer, will amount to unlawful age discrimination under Section 13 of the Equality Act 2010.

Whilst employees may now have the right to remain in work after age 65, the change in legislation no longer requires employers to make arrangements for or provide access to the provision of insurance or related financial services to those over 65 or state pension age, whichever is the greater.

The abolition of the default retirement age may be welcome by some but we need to ensure that our members can retire with dignity and at a time of their choosing. We do not want a culture where it becomes acceptable to work until you drop.

Yours sincerely,

R. CROW

General Secretary

Direct Line: 020-7529 8821

Direct Fax: 020-7529 8808

E-mail: p.wilkinson@rmt.org.uk

Union Learning Funds

2011-03-31T08:25:00.001-07:00

ED/005/11

Circular No. NP/060/11

31^st March 2011

To: The Secretary

All Branches & Regional Councils

Dear Colleague,

UNION LEARNING FUNDS

Following the election last year of the present Government it was widely felt that the incredibly valuable and well received work carried out under the auspices of the Union Learning Fund (ULF) in England and Wales and the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF) in Scotland would be ended or at least severely cut back, drastically reducing the possibility for new learning and training opportunities to our members. This was a common fear amongst colleagues in other Trade Unions currently delivering education and learning to working people across the UK. As a result of a substantial campaign, which was coordinated by both the TUC and Scottish TUC, to promote with the government the value to workers and employers alike the benefit of the work carried out within these two funds I am pleased to report the following in relation to our Unions important work in these areas:

1. ULF Project – The RMT have secured the funding for the second year of the current project, so ensuring that the aims and ambitions of the original bid can now be met up to the original closing date of March 2012. The second year is subject to some additional work and targets but the RMT ULF team have been able to receive the acknowledgement from Union Learn that this will be achievable within our proposed plan.

2. SULF Project – The RMT have secured new funding from the SULF Learning and Development Funds to carry on the excellent work carried out in the Highlands and Islands (RMT & CalMac) and Uplands and Lowlands (RMT & North Link Ferries). This further one year of funding will enable us to build on the work and progress already achieved.

This is very good news for our membership who will continue to be able to access these learning opportunities and the benefits it can bring. I would like to congratulate all those in our ULF and SULF ‘teams’ for the work put in to make this happen.

The long term future for this work is still far from guaranteed but I can assure you the Union will try its hardest to see the work in both areas continue for the long term.

Please encourage your members to get involved in either working to develop the projects work or indeed to take up the opportunities it offers.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Revenue Protection Job Cuts (South West Trains)

2011-02-20T07:07:00.001-08:00

To advise all that the Regional Organiser and the Retail Company Council Representatives met with the Company for a further Meeting under Consultation in respect of the recent announcement of Job Cuts for Revenue Protection on South West Trains. Below is an outline of the points raised and the responses:

All Customer Service Assistant Vacancies have been frozen to accommodate Revenue/ CSA Staff who are displaced
Arrangements for staff that are displaced will be protected by the PTR&r arrangements and the G464 agreement will apply
Customer Service Assistant Members that are on hours that are agreed between the company and the individual will where possible be offered alternate locations where hours suit, if not the members will be used to best advantage at their present location.
For those who are displaced and if more than 1 person applies for a position/location then a selection process will apply
All staff that have been seconded into other roles will be treated exactly the same and are part of the existing establishment figures presented to this Union.
Redundancy: The Company will respond to the Regional Organiser on this issue and an update on this will be given to all when none.
Part Time CSA staff will not fill full Time posts on a permanent bases, and will only be temporary and will recruit full time posts.
This is an outline of todays meeting and we will keep you posted on further developments, John Donoghue (Company Council Representative for Revenue Protection/CSA) will be present at all roster meetings when arranged to ensure that the principals that are layed down at Company Council level are adhered to but will not participate in any roster Negotiations. this will be done by the respected LDC Representatives.

Revenue Protection Job Cuts( SOUTH WEST TRAINS)

2011-02-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

To advise you all that your Company Council Representatives along with your Regional Organiser will be meeting SWT on the 16th February 2011 to discuss further the Consultation Document in relation to the recent Job Cuts from the Revenue Protection Team We will update you of the the meeting on this site and by e-mails.

Special Branch Meeting in regards the Recent Job Cuts from (Revenue Protection and Customer Service Assistants) on SWT

2011-02-02T04:35:00.001-08:00

To advise that Waterloo Branch will be hosting a Special Branch Meeting with Wimbledon/Feltham No 1 and Surrey Hants.

The purpose of this meeting is for the recent Job Cuts that SWT have informed us of in regards Revenue Protection and Customer Service Assistants Jobs, at this meeting will be your Retail Company Council Representatives/Regional Organiser and the Council Of Executive Member.

This will be your chance to come along and listen to an update from your Union Officials for a recent update, and will give you your chance to raise your views and issues on this important round of Job Cuts.

We urge that if you can to attend this important Meeting, All Revenue and Customer Service Assistant Members are welcome, the meeting date and time and location is below:

Hole in The Wall Public House (3 Minutes Walk from Waterloo Main Station Exit 5) Start time 16-00 to 17-30pm on the 15th February 2011.

A poster advertising this is in the process of being done and will be sent out to advertise this important meeting....

For more information and to download a flyer click on the link below:

http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=142414

Revenue Protection Strategy (South West Trains)

2011-01-28T11:25:00.001-08:00

As you are all proberly aware the Retail Company Council Representatives were invited to a meeting under the heading of Revenue Protection Strategy, we were then informed by a presentation at first that there would be more job reductions within the Revenue Protection Grades and the CSA Grades.

To advise that we were only presented with the Consultation Document on the day and were caught out by this reduction of posts,we raised this issue that the Consultation document should of been released to us ahead of the Meeting to enable us to be prepared with this, and raised our disappointment that this didn't happen, and this I will be raising with the Lead Officer to take up with the HR Director.

It was agreed that a further Consultation Meeting was required to discuss the document further and this is in the process of being done, and will advise you of the date and the outcome of the meeting, to give you a brief over view of how many posts SWT are proposing to reduce are as below, as soon as the Consultation has been completed we will send all Revenue Protection Representatives a copy.

RPI/RPA Current Establishment RPI/RPA Current Actual RPI/RPA Proposed Establishment

(FTE) (FTE) (FTE)

196 242 159

(60 RPI/136 RPA) (58 RPI/184 RPA) (27 RPI/132 RPA)

CSA Current Establishment CSA Current Actual CSA Proposed

(FTE) (FTE) (FTE)

199 104 188

As you can see from the above the Figures are over the Agreed Establishment by 46 for Revenue Protection, so the Company are proposing to reduce some 37 posts.

The CSA positions the Company are proposing to reduce these by 11 from the Agreed Establishment

There is a lot of issues that is required to raise at the next meeting on this, and we will keep you updated on this, at present there are questions at the moment that the Company Council Representatives can't answer until the meeting has been concluded, if you require any information on this please do not hesitate to contact myself or on of the Retail Company Council Representatives numbers and e-mail addresses below:

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

John Donoghue Mobile:07861 748 507 e-mail: jdgaffer2000@yahoo.co.uk

If you can please pass on to any Revenue Protection/CSA e-mail addresses that you may have, I have sent this to most of them including Representatives.

Bank Holiday 29th April 2011

2011-01-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

To advise all that the 29th April 2011 has been declared as a Bank Holiday, this issue has been raised with the Company and this is being looked into and the respective Regional Organisers from all the relevant Trade Unions under Collective Barganning will be advised of the Company Plans to address this.

More information will follow as soon as known.

Revenue Protection Booking On & Off (South West Trains)

2010-12-27T06:04:00.001-08:00

To advise that your Retail Company Council Representatives met with the Company this Month and one of the items for discussion was the Booking On & Off times for Revenue Protection, to advise that the Company Council Representatives after several meetings on discussion on this item have now come to an agreement on this item.

All Revenue Protection Depots with the Exception of Waterloo Depot will have 20 minutes Booking On and 20 Minutes Booking Off, Waterloo Depot will have the 30 Minutes Booking On and 30 Minutes Booking Off due to the location of this Depot and the circumstances of carrying out this task, this additional times apply while these additional times apply while the current circumstances at Waterloo exist and there will be local discussions at Local Level to agree any changes as and when the circumstances vary.

To advise that a signed agreement by the Company and the Company Council Team to reflect all the detail of this will be made available on this site and also will be sent to all the Revenue Protection LDC Representatives as soon as this has been signed by all parties.

Season Greetings

2010-12-23T02:28:00.000-08:00

The Company Council and LDC Representatives would like to wish you and all your Family a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year....

RMT General Secretary gives a Xmas and New Year Message to RMT Members

2010-12-22T14:03:00.000-08:00

BULLETIN: RMT General Secretary Bob Crow looks back over the past year and the challenges the union faces in 2011 Click on the Link below http://www.youtube.com/user/RMTtelevision

Pensions Index Update

2010-12-15T09:05:00.001-08:00

My Ref: MRP32/1

15^th December 2010

Circular No. NP/229/10

To: The Secretary

All Branches & Regional Councils

Dear Colleague,

INDEXATION OF PENSIONS

On Wednesday 8 December 2010 the Department for Work and Pensions released an industry wide RPI/CPI consultation paper. This has provided some clarification on the Government’s plans to redefine the way in which statutory minimum increases are applied to pensions (in particular the revaluation of deferred pensions to retirement and pensions in payment).

This follows the announcement on 8 July 2010 made by the Minister of State for Pensions, Steve Webb, which stated the Government’s intentions to link private sector pension payments to the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) rather than the Retail Prices Index (“RPI”). A similar change to public sector pensions was announced in the Chancellor’s budget statement earlier in the year.

Both RPI and CPI are measures of inflation published by the Office for National Statistics but both are calculated in different ways. Historically, this has led to inflation measured on the RPI index being far greater than that of CPI. RPI for the twelve months to November 2010 is 4.7%, up from 4.5% in October. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, the Consumer Price Index, also announced today is 3.3% up from 3.2% in October.

The Government’s own inflationary forecast shows RPI increasing by 20.3% between 2010 and 2015, while CPI increases at a slower rate of 13.0% during the same period, a shortfall of 7.3%. The proposal to use CPI will clearly affect both those who have retired and those who have yet to retire.

The RMT are totally opposed to the Government’s plan to change indexation for past and future pension accruals. What this will mean to pension scheme members and pensioners is their pension entitlement being worth less than they were promised when they contributed. We believe it is an attack on workers deferred pay which will result in pension scheme members being unable to retire with an adequate pension and consequently result in them being forced to claim benefits in retirement.

Although the Government has presently ‘shied’ away from introducing overriding legislation to force pension schemes to adopt the lower inflationary measurement of CPI, it is clear that this issue is far from finished. The Government has opted at the present time to publish a consultation paper which the RMT will respond to.

For your information please find enclosed with this circular a letter I have sent to the RPS Trustee Board Chairman and also a letter which has been sent by Brendan Barber the General Secretary of the TUC to George Osborne MP.

In the mean time the RMT will continue to campaign against the governments’ proposal and will keep you informed of any developments.

Yours sincerely,

B. Crow

General Secretary

Enc.

RMT PAY BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2010

2010-12-04T08:30:00.001-08:00

Circular No. NP/214/10/MC

30^th November 2010

H.O. Ref: R14/5

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, REGIONAL OFFICES,

COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES & HO OFFICERS.

Dear Members,

RMT PAY BULLETIN

November 2010

October 2010 retail prices index rate: 4.5%

The October rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 16^th November 2010. The October 2010 retail prices index rate is 4.5%. This is down from 4.6% in September. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.2%, up from 3.1% in September. The next publication date is the 14^th December 2010.

The largest upward pressures to the change in inflation came from:

fuel and lubricants where prices, overall, rose by 1.8 per cent between September and October this year compared to a fall of 0.7 per cent a year ago. This largely reflects a rise of 2.1 pence per litre in the price of petrol between September and October this year compared with a fall of 0.8 pence per litre a year ago. The rise in fuel prices this year includes the impact of the increase in road fuel duty, which took effect from 1 October 2010
financial services where prices, overall, fell by less than a year ago. There were significant reductions in bank overdraft charges and mortgage arrangement fees between September and October last year which have not been repeated this year
games, toys and hobbies where prices, overall, rose by 1.9 per cent this year compared to an increase of 0.4 per cent a year ago. The main upward effect this year came from computer games bought on the high street (rather than via the internet) where prices rose sharply
alcoholic beverages and tobacco where prices, overall, rose by 0.8 per cent between September and October this year but fell by 0.2 per cent a year ago. No one component drove the upward contribution but there were small upward effects from wine, beer and tobacco

The largest downward pressure to the change in inflation came from:

food where there were widespread downward effects. The most significant downward pressures came from vegetables and meat. Within vegetables the largest downward effects came from potato crisps and cauliflowers. The main downward effects in meat came from pig related products where it has been reported that healthy stock levels have helped push prices down

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.

Full-time Average Weekly Earnings by Occupation

Labour Research has published an analysis of average full-time weekly earnings based upon the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2009 (up-rated).

Occupation/Sector	Weekly Wage (£)
All workers	592.60
All male	648.80
All female	505.70
Managers	870.80
Professionals	791.00
Associate Professionals*	612.10
Admin & Secretarial	415.40
Skilled/craft	488.90
Services**	352.30
Sales	327.40
Operatives	448.00
Other manual jobs***	349.80

* Associate professionals includes technicians, nurses, police, firefighters, media/PR workers, train drivers, legal and finance workers and sales reps

** Services means personal service occupations such as care workers, travel assistants, hairdressers, caretakers

*** Other manual jobs includes farm workers, labourers, dockers, postal workers, porters, waiters and cleaners

Recent non-RMT settlements

Company /Sector	Award	Effective From
Anglian Water	· 2.3% increase to basic pay	1 Apr 2010
Extracare Trust	· 2.25% increase to basic pay	1 Oct 2010
Craigmoor Heathcare	· 2% increase to basic pay	1 Oct 2010

Recent RMT Settlements
Company	Award	Effective From
*Bus & Road Transport*
WebberBus	· The £10 weekly bonus payments to be consolidated into the basic rate, increasing the rate to £7.45 per hour. · The 40p per hour service payment to remain, therefore increasing the combined rate for service drivers to £7.85 per hour. As from 1^st January 2011 · Rates of pay increased to £7.60 for all Drivers · The 40p per hour service payment to remain, therefore increasing the combined rate for service drivers to £8 per hour. · The 25p per hour payment for staff with over 3 years service will be reduced to also cover staff with 2 years service. · Revised arrangements for holiday pay will be based upon:- o 10 hours per day for four day week rosters/workers (i.e. 4 weeks leave equals 16 days or 160 hours, plus eight days bank holidays) o 8 hours per day for five day week rosters/workers (i.e. 4 weeks leave equals 20 days or 160 hours, plus eight days bank holidays) As from 1^st May 2011 · Rates of pay to be increased by 25p per hour by RPI inflation as declared in March 2011 for all drivers. If greater than 3.15% the service payment and long service payment to remain the same with the next anniversary date being 1^st May 2012. · 22 days leave (not including bank holidays) as from 1^st January 2012.	1 Nov 2010

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

2010-11-26T12:17:00.001-08:00

Circular number: NP/210/10/MC

26^th November 2010

To: - All Branches, Regional Councils, Regional Offices, Regional Organisers, Executive & HO Officers.

Dear Colleague,

Future public transport: “Nationalisation not Privatisation”

I am writing to invite RMT members to participate in an international open conference of fighting transport unions.

Transport workers’ unions will come together in London on Monday, 31 January, 2011 at the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) to discuss the continuing liberalisation and privatisation of transport industries across Europe as a result of the policies of the European Union and the alternatives that we are fighting for.

The European Commission recently ‘re-cast’ its First railway package, to establish “a single European railway area”, demanding complete liberalisation of the rail sector. A Fourth package liberalising domestic passenger rail services is planned for 2011.

The EU drive to privatise lifeline ferry services has led to protests to defend ferry services from Greece, to Corsica, to Caledonian MacBrayne services in Scotland.

Corporate takeovers, such as Germany state railway Deutsche Bahn’s acquisition of Arriva, are creating EU-wide transport monopolies across the bus, rail and light rail sectors. Instead of rebuilding public transport through investment in ‘just transition’ to carbon-neutral systems with skilled jobs, the EU is privatising public transport.

‘Future public transport:“Nationalisation not Privatisation”’ is an opportunity to discuss the deepening political crisis in the public transport sector and how to resist the privatisation drive. If you wish to participate in this conference please contact Mick Carty on m.carty@rmt.org.uk

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Inflation Rates Circular

2010-11-19T11:27:00.001-08:00

Circular No. NP/205/10/MC

18^th November 2010

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.

Dear Colleagues,

Inflation Rates Circular

The largest upward pressures to the change in inflation came from:

fuel and lubricants where prices, overall, rose by 1.8 per cent between September and October this year compared to a fall of 0.7 per cent a year ago. This largely reflects a rise of 2.1 pence per litre in the price of petrol between September and October this year compared with a fall of 0.8 pence per litre a year ago. The rise in fuel prices this year includes the impact of the increase in road fuel duty, which took effect from 1 October 2010
financial services where prices, overall, fell by less than a year ago. There were significant reductions in bank overdraft charges and mortgage arrangement fees between September and October last year which have not been repeated this year
games, toys and hobbies where prices, overall, rose by 1.9 per cent this year compared to an increase of 0.4 per cent a year ago. The main upward effect this year came from computer games bought on the high street (rather than via the internet) where prices rose sharply
alcoholic beverages and tobacco where prices, overall, rose by 0.8 per cent between September and October this year but fell by 0.2 per cent a year ago. No one component drove the upward contribution but there were small upward effects from wine, beer and tobacco

The largest downward pressure to the change in inflation came from:

food where there were widespread downward effects. The most significant downward pressures came from vegetables and meat. Within vegetables the largest downward effects came from potato crisps and cauliflowers. The main downward effects in meat came from pig related products where it has been reported that healthy stock levels have helped push prices down

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

2010-11-04T11:41:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/191/10/MC

04^th November 2010

H.O. Ref: R14/5

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, REGIONAL OFFICES,

COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES & HO OFFICERS.

Dear Members,

RMT PAY BULLETIN

October 2010

September 2010 retail prices index rate: 4.6%

The September 2010 retail prices index rate is 4.6%. This is down from 4.7% in August. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.1%, with no change from August.

The largest downward pressures to the change came from a variety of transport costs:

· air transport where fares fell by 27.8 per cent this year compared with a fall of 23.8 per cent a year ago. The largest downward effects came from long haul and, to a lesser extent, European routes

· fuels and lubricants where prices, overall, fell by 0.8 per cent between August and September this year but rose by 2.3 per cent a year ago, principally reflecting a fall of 1.1 pence per litre in petrol prices this year compared with a rise of 2.4 pence per litre a year ago

· falling second-hand car prices between August and September this year compared with price rises a year ago - there were reports of stock shortages leading to higher prices for second-hand cars during 2009

The largest upward pressures to the change in CPI inflation came from:

· clothing and footwear where prices overall rose by 6.4 per cent this year, a record rise for the August to September period. The largest upward effect came from women’s outerwear where prices rose sharply this year with the 2010 autumn season

· food where the largest upward effects came from meat and fruit. Meat prices rose by 0.3 per cent between August and September this year but fell by 1.2 per cent a year ago. The fall last year was a record for an August to September period. Fruit prices overall fell between August and September this year but by less than a year ago

As you can see the price of daily necessities such as food and clothing continue to rise at an alarming rate.

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.

Full-time Average Weekly Earnings by Occupation

Labour Research has published an analysis of average full-time weekly earnings based upon the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2009 (up-rated).

Occupation/Sector	Weekly Wage (£)
All workers	592.60
All male	648.80
All female	505.70
Managers	870.80
Professionals	791.00
Associate Professionals*	612.10
Admin & Secretarial	415.40
Skilled/craft	488.90
Services**	352.30
Sales	327.40
Operatives	448.00
Other manual jobs***	349.80

* Associate professionals includes technicians, nurses, police, firefighters, media/PR workers, train drivers, legal and finance workers and sales reps

** Services means personal service occupations such as care workers, travel assistants, hairdressers, caretakers

*** Other manual jobs includes farm workers, labourers, dockers, postal workers, porters, waiters and cleaners

Recent non-RMT settlements

Company /Sector	Award	Effective From
Sainbury’s	· 2.3% increase to basic pay	5 Sept 2010
Cadbury’s	· 3.7% increase to basic pay	29 Mar 2010 (backdated)
Babcock, Davenport	· 5.2% increase to minimum rates	1 Oct 2010

Recent RMT Settlements
Company	Award	Effective From
*TOC & Freight*
FREIGHTLINER HEAVYHAUL	· 1.7% for all staff, plus £500 (1.8%) for all staff covered by the previous ‘catch up’ agreement.	1 Oct 2010
SOUTH WEST TRAINS	· 5.2% increase to basic pay (Guards’ Option)	4 Oct 2010
*Shipping & Offshore*
OFFSHORE DIVING PERSONNEL	· 6.1% increase to basic pay	1 Nov 2010

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

RMT Exposes massive increase in top salaries at Private Operating Companies

2010-10-22T10:21:00.001-07:00

www.rmt.org.uk

NEWS RELEASE

Emargoed 00.01 hours

Tuesday October 19 2010

On eve of savage cuts to transport budget RMT exposes massive increase in top salaries at private operating companies

On the eve of the government’s expected announcement of savage cuts to the transport budget, specialist transport union RMT has produced new figures showing that at a time when passengers are being warned to expect fare increases of up to 40% over the next four years it’s bonanza time in the boardrooms of Britain’s main private transport operators.

The “UK Transport Rich List” is topped by Keith Ludeman – boss of the Go-Ahead group – who saw his salary rise by an incredible 35% from £916,000 on the June 2009 figures to £1,240,000 in July this year. Ludeman is responsible for the Southern Trains franchise which recently announced it was axing toilets on the key inter-city route between Portsmouth and Brighton.

Hot on his heels are Brian Souter from Stagecoach on £762,000 and David Martin from Arriva on £743,635. (A full list is attached.) Company profits show that the big five UK transport operators have posted combined dividends of more than £2 billion since privatisation.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“We are receiving clear signals that transport is being lined up as a prime target for the ConDem cuts with 25 to 40% expected to be slashed from budgets. At the same time fares are predicted to rise by up to 40% over the next four years.

"Cuts at the expected level will impact on jobs, safety, the range of services available and the price people pay to use them. It would also take a bulldozer to upgrading and modernisation plans leaving the UK in the slow lane yet again when it comes to green transport options.

We are also running the real risk of bus service being wiped out in rural areas.”

"Under this ConDem government the public will be forced to pay through the nose to travel on crowded trains and buses on creaking and unsafe infrastructure while the profits, dividends and top bosses salaries of the private companies are ring-fenced. That is a scandal."

Katy Clark, a member of the RMT parliamentary group and MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, has secured a parliamentary debate on “The Future of the Railway” industry on Tuesday (19^th October) morning which coincides with the TUC anti-cuts lobby. Katy Clarke said:

“At a time when passengers are about to be clobbered with fare hikes and cuts in services and rail workers jobs are under attack these profits and salaries are obscene.”

“It appears corporate excess is not confined to our banks. I will be using the parliamentary debate to ask the minister to write to the train company directors to urge pay restraint and for the government to agree to a windfall tax on the profits of the privatised rail industry.”

Ends

NOTE FOR EDITORS:

UK TRANSPORT COMPANY“RICH LIST”

Railway Directors Remuneration

Train company	Highest Paid Director

Arriva Group	David Martin £743,635 (31 Dec 2009)
Arriva Cross Country	199,000 (01 Mar 2009)
Arriva Trains Wales	194,000 (31 Dec 2009)
First Group	Moir Lockhead £643,000 (31 Mar 2010)
First Capital Connect	398,000 (31 Mar 2009)
First Great Western	190,000 (31 Mar 2008)
Hull Trains	Information unavailable.
ScotRail	429,275 (31 Mar 2009).
First Transpenine	Information unavailable.
Go-Ahead Group (65% of Govia)	Keith Ludeman £916,000 (27 Jun 2009) £1240,000 (July 2010)
London Midland	Information unavailable.
Southeastern	Information unavailable.
Southern	358,000 (28 Jun 2008)
National Express Group Interim 6 months ended 30^th June 08	Ray O’Toole £644,000 (31 Dec 2009)
C2C	166,852 (31 Dec 2008)
Stagecoach Group Interim 6 months ended 31^st October 08	Brian Souter £762,000 (30 Apr 2010)
East Midlands Trains	Information unavailable.
South West Trains	Information unavailable.

Katy Clarke EDM below;

"That this House notes with concern reports that the government's review of the railways will lead to a significant increase in what are already the most expensive rail fares in Europe; is appalled that hard pressed passengers will be hit by these fare hikes at a time when the highest paid directors of the big five transport groups which run most of UK's train operations, Arriva, First, Go Ahead, National Express and Stagecoach have been paid salaries of between £600,000 and over 1.2 million a year, with one executive enjoying a 35% annual increase; is further concerned that this executive excess is on the back billions of pounds of tax payer subsidy to the privatised train operators; is also dismayed that whilst passengers and taxpayer are being asked to tighten their belts these companies have paid out dividends in excess of £2 billion since privatisation; believes that instead of cutting services and hiking fares the government should urgently consider a freeze in dividends and a windfall tax on the profits of the privatised railway; is further concerned that the same companies who are fleecing the railway are also lobbying for the break up and sell off of Network Rail which will create a Railtrack mark 2 which puts profit before safety; believes instead that the interests of passengers, the tax payer and rail workers would be best served by an integrated, publicly owned and accountable railway.

Strong RMT union organisation secures South West Trains staff 5.2% increase setting the benchmark for the rail industry

RAIL UNION RMT today welcomed a 5.2% pay increase – without strings - secured by the union’s negotiators for all South West Trains staff saying that it proves the benefits of strong trade union organisation and sets a pay benchmark for the rest of the rail and transport sector. The 5.2% increase will hit staff pay packets from this week.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“At a time when the doom and gloom merchants in the press are repeating the Government line that everyone has to draw in their belts and accept cuts, job losses and austerity RMT has shown once again on South West Trains that strong union organisation delivers the goods.

“The pay award of 5.2% on South West Trains sets a clear benchmark for our negotiators and for the transport sector as a whole.

“Our members didn’t create this crisis, it was the bankers, and on the day when the return of the City bonus culture is back in the news with a vengeance we are sending out the clearest possible signal that working people don’t need to be bullied into paying the price for the greed and excess of the speculators.

“Strong union organisation is the only defence that working people have against the cuts and austerity onslaught – unity is strength.”

Yours sincerely

General Secretary

RMT Secures SWT Staff 5.2 % increase

2010-10-22T10:18:00.001-07:00

Strong RMT union organisation secures South West Trains staff 5.2% increase setting the benchmark for the rail industry

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The pay award of 5.2% on South West Trains sets a clear benchmark for our negotiators and for the transport sector as a whole.

“Strong union organisation is the only defence that working people have against the cuts and austerity onslaught – unity is strength.”

Yours sincerely

General Secretary

Rates Of Pay and Conditions Of Service Circular

2010-10-21T05:09:00.001-07:00

Circular No: IR/274/10

14^TH October 2010

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS AND REGIONAL OFFICES

Dear Colleagues,

Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2010

Southeastern Drivers (BR2/0001/SE(D)

The company has made another offer which has been put to members in the form of a referendum with a GGC recommendation to reject the offer as it is felt that it still does not meet our aspirations on the grounds of no suitable yearly percentage increases and it contains no compensatory enhanced payment for working through the Olympics. If you have any of these members in your branch, please could you ask if they have received their voting paper? If they have not received a paper, please ask them to contact the Industrial Relations department on 0207 387 4771 or the helpline on 0800 376 3706. Alternatively, email info@rmt.org.uk

Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2010

Merseyrail (Excl Guards and Drivers) (BR2/0001/M)

A referendum of members has been held and has concluded with members voting to reject the company’s offer. The GGC have instructed me to carry out a ballot for strike action and action short of strike action. Therefore if you have any of these members in your branch, please could you ask them to verify their job title, their workplace and home contact details by getting in touch with the Industrial Relations department on 0207 387 4771 or the helpline on 0800 376 3706. Alternatively, email info@rmt.org.uk

Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2009

South West Trains (Guards Option) (BR2/0001/SWT)

During last year’s pay negotiations, it was agreed that once the 2010 element of the pay increase, August 2010 RPI, was announced, guard members would be given the choice to vote for either a full pay rise of 5.2% or a reduced pay rise of 2.2% and a one hour reduction in their working week.

I have conducted a referendum of our guard members and they have voted unanimously to accept a full pay rise. I have advised the company of our acceptance and I have requested that the increase is reflected in members’ pay at the earliest opportunity.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Issuing of SWT Pass (Company Council Meeting)

2010-10-21T03:08:00.001-07:00

To advise all that the Regional Organiser along with the Full Company Council Representatives met with SWT Company Directors to discuss the issue of the SWT Pass for staff that retire earlier than the normal retirement age.

A discussion took place where all the 3 Trade Unions raised points in relation to this issue, and the Company responded that they would look at the issue of staff that leave the Company on Ill Health grounds and will respond to the Full Time Officials on this.

In relation to the other reasons for staff who leave on early retirement/Redundancy etc this issue of request for the pass was declined by the Company.

South West Trains Guards Ballot Result (ROP & Conditions of Service)

2010-10-12T11:53:00.001-07:00

Our Ref: BR2/0001/SWT

11^th October 2010

Dear Colleagues,

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2009

SOUTH WEST TRAINS (GUARDS OPTION)

Further to my letter dated 22^nd September regarding the above, the referendum has now concluded with the following result:-

Total Votes Cast... 412

Those Voting Option One... 289

Those Voting Option Two... 110

Those Voting Neither Option... 13

Spoilt Papers... 0

This result has now been considered by the General Grades Committee who have taken the following decision:-

“We note the outcome of the referendum ballot and instruct the General Secretary to inform the Company of our acceptance of Option 1. Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.”

I will inform the Company of our acceptance of the basic pay award option and ask that this is implemented at the earliest opportunity.

I would also like to thank members for voting in this referendum and to thank your representatives for their efforts in this matter.

Yours Sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Inflation Rates Circular

2010-10-12T06:34:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/176/10/MC

12^th October 2010

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.

Dear Colleagues,

Inflation Rates Circular

The September rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 12^th October 2010. The September 2010 retail prices index rate is 4.6%. This is down from 4.7% in August. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.1%, with no change from August. The next publication date is the 16^th November 2010.

The largest downward pressures to the change came from a variety of transport costs:

The largest upward pressures to the change in CPI inflation came from:

As you can see the price of daily necessities such as food and clothing continue to rise at an alarming rate.

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

Rail Union Learning Event

2010-10-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

To advise all that a Rail Union Learning Event has been arranged by the Trade Unions, and this will take place on the 20th October 2010 at Waterloo, to download and view all the details on this event and to download the posters in both English and Spanish please click on the link below:

www.rmt.org.uk/learningopps

RMT Pay Bulletin September 2010 (Retail Index Rates)

2010-10-05T11:57:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/173/10/MC

04^th October 2010

H.O. Ref: R14/5

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, REGIONAL OFFICES,

COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES & HO OFFICERS.

Dear Members,

RMT PAY BULLETIN

September 2010

August 2010 retail prices index rate: 4.8%

The Office of National Statistics has today published the August 2010 rates of RPI and CPI. The RPI for the twelve months to August 2010 is 4.7%. This is down slightly from 4.8% for the twelve months to July 2010.

The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is 3.1%, the same level as for the twelve months to July 2010. The next publication date is 12^th October 2010.

The largest upward pressures came from:

air transport where fares rose by 16.1%, clothing and footwear where prices overall rose by 2.8 per cent this year, and food where the largest upward effects came from bread and cereals, and vegetables.

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.

Full-time Average Weekly Earnings by Occupation

Labour Research has published an analysis of average full-time weekly earnings based upon the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2009 (up-rated).

Occupation/Sector	Weekly Wage (£)
All workers	592.60
All male	648.80
All female	505.70
Managers	870.80
Professionals	791.00
Associate Professionals*	612.10
Admin & Secretarial	415.40
Skilled/craft	488.90
Services**	352.30
Sales	327.40
Operatives	448.00
Other manual jobs***	349.80

* Associate professionals includes technicians, nurses, police, firefighters, media/PR workers, train drivers, legal and finance workers and sales reps

** Services means personal service occupations such as care workers, travel assistants, hairdressers, caretakers

*** Other manual jobs includes farm workers, labourers, dockers, postal workers, porters, waiters and cleaners

Recent non-RMT settlements

Company /Sector	Award	Effective From
Greggs	· 2% increase to basic pay	1 Apr 2010
Ulster Carpets	· 2% increase to basic pay	1 May 2010
Scottish AWB	· 3% increase to minimum rates	1 Oct 2010

Recent RMT Settlements
Company	Award	Effective From
*Workshop & Train Maintenance*
VAE	· 3% increase to basic pay	1 Apr 2010
*Road Transport & Bus*
DHL Neasdon	Year One · A 2% increase on all basic rates and premiums backdated to April · KPL bonus based on fuel economy. This has potential to give every driver £100 payable at the end of the financial year. Local reps to be updated on fuel consumption on a weekly basis to ensure transparency. Year Two · A minimum increase of 2% up to a maximum of 3.5% based on February 2011 RPI. Should RPI be less than 2%, all staff would receive 2% as a minimum payment. Should RPI be more than 3.5%, staff would only receive 3.5%.	1 Apr 2010
DHL Chester	Year One · A 2% increase on all basic rates and premiums backdated to April · KPL bonus based on fuel economy. This has potential to give every driver £100 payable at the end of the financial year. Local reps to be updated on fuel consumption on a weekly basis to ensure transparency. Year Two · A minimum increase of 2% up to a maximum of 3.5% based on February 2011 RPI. Should RPI be less than 2%, all staff would receive 2% as a minimum payment. Should RPI be more than 3.5%, staff would only receive 3.5%.	1 Apr 2010

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

RMT Union secure 5.2% increase for Staff

2010-10-05T09:53:00.001-07:00

www.rmt.org.uk

NEWS RELEASE

October 5 2010

Strong RMT union organisation secures South West Trains staff 5.2% increase setting the benchmark for the rail industry

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The pay award of 5.2% on South West Trains sets a clear benchmark for our negotiators and for the transport sector as a whole.

“Strong union organisation is the only defence that working people have against the cuts and austerity onslaught – unity is strength.”

Yours sincerely

General Secretary

Inflation Rates August 2010

2010-09-14T11:08:00.001-07:00

Tuesday 13^th September 2010

Circular No. National Policy 164/10

To the Secretary all Branches

Regional Councils, Regional Offices and

Council of Executive members.

Dear Colleagues,

Inflation Rates

The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is 3.1%, the same level as for the twelve months to July 2010. The next publication date is 12^th October 2010.

The largest upward pressures came from:

air transport where fares rose by 16.1%, clothing and footwear where prices overall rose by 2.8 per cent this year, and food where the largest upward effects came from bread and cereals, and vegetables.

Yours Sincerely

Bob Crow,

General Secretary

2010-09-12T14:35:00.001-07:00

TRANSPORT UNION RMT has tabled a motion for the TUC Congress in Manchester next week which sets out a blueprint for a co-ordinated trade union and community fight back against the cuts programme and the “class warfare” of the ConDem Government.

The RMT motion calls on the trade union movement to;

· Call an immediate summit of affiliates to discuss the sole issue of how we can best coordinate industrial action to defend jobs, pensions and conditions

· Consider convening a urgent conference of affiliates and representatives of users of publicly funded services and the welfare state to establish a broad alliance against the cuts

· Organise an urgent national demonstration, lobby of Parliament and national days of protest against the cuts and fully involve trades councils in moblising for these events.

· Present a clear alternative to the cuts including public ownership, higher rates of tax for the rich, closing corporate tax loopholes and scrapping Trident replacement.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The TUC has to be the launch-pad for the fight back against the coalition Government’s decision to unleash all out class warfare through their unprecedented attack on our communities, public services, welfare state and transport system. Our defence must be built on generalised strike action and community resistance in the biggest public mobilisation since the anti-poll tax movement.

“RMT is in no doubt that the government is using the deficit as a thinly veiled cover to engage in an ideological dismantling of the state and an attack on workers, and the most vulnerable in our society, which goes far further than even the dark days of Thatcher. The true scale of that attack will become clear this autumn.

“As well as setting out plans for our own co-ordinated industrial and community action we also send a message of solidarity to our comrades in France, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and elsewhere who are fighting similar cuts to jobs, standards of living and public services.”

ENDS

NO TO AUSTERITY

2010-08-28T03:57:00.001-07:00

RMT is participating in a Europe-wide demonstration of trade unions in Brussels on September 29 to tell the politicians that ordinary people will not pay the price for the economic crisis caused by the bankers

RMT Pay Bulletin

2010-08-27T15:54:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/155/10/MC

26^th August 2010

H.O. Ref: R14/5

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, REGIONAL OFFICES,

COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES & HO OFFICERS.

Dear Members,

RMT PAY BULLETIN

August 2010

July 2010 retail prices index rate: 4.8%

The July rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 17^th August 2010. The July 2010 retail prices index rate is 4.8%. This is down from 5.0% in June. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.1%, down from 3.2% in June. The next publication date is the 14^th September 2010.

The decrease in the rate of inflation was mainly due to the price of second-hand cars falling between June and July this year but rising over the same period a year ago; the price increase of 3.0 per cent last year was a record for a June to July period. There was also a downward effect from petrol with prices falling by 0.7 pence per litre between June and July this year but rising by 1.1 pence per litre a year ago.

The largest upward pressures to the change in inflation came from:

· a variety of food and non-alcoholic beverages with the single largest upward effect from vegetable prices

· furniture, household equipment and maintenance where prices, overall, fell by less than 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.

Full-time Average Weekly Earnings by Occupation

Labour Research has published an analysis of average full-time weekly earnings based upon the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2009 (up-rated).

Occupation/Sector	Weekly Wage (£)
All workers	592.60
All male	648.80
All female	505.70
Managers	870.80
Professionals	791.00
Associate Professionals*	612.10
Admin & Secretarial	415.40
Skilled/craft	488.90
Services**	352.30
Sales	327.40
Operatives	448.00
Other manual jobs***	349.80

* Associate professionals includes technicians, nurses, police, firefighters, media/PR workers, train drivers, legal and finance workers and sales reps

** Services means personal service occupations such as care workers, travel assistants, hairdressers, caretakers

*** Other manual jobs includes farm workers, labourers, dockers, postal workers, porters, waiters and cleaners

Recent non-RMT settlements

Company /Sector	Award	Effective From
BAA	A 2% increase to basic pay	1 Mar 2010
Domino	A 3% increase to basic pay	1 July 2010
Lockheed Martin	A 3% increase to basic pay	6 Mar 2010

Recent RMT Settlements
Company	Award	Effective From
Railway
Arriva Cross Country	Year Two (2 year deal) An increase of 4.45% or £750, whichever is greater. Next anniversary date is 28^th May 2011.	1 Apr 2010
*London Transport & Other Metro*
Tubelines	Pay 2010 · A 4.2% increase in basic rates backdated to 1^st April 2010. · 0.5% of the offer is conditional on reaching the agreement on rostering arrangements which are outlined below. Pay 2011 · An RPI level of inflation increase plus 0.5% or a minimum of 0.5%, whichever is greater. The RPI figure used will be based on the January 2011 figure published in February 2011. This will be effective from 1^st April 2011. Pay 2012 · An RPI level of inflation increase plus 0.5% or a minimum of 0.5%, whichever is greater. The RPI figure used will be based on the January 2012 figure published in February 2012. This will be effective from 1^st April 2012.	1 Apr 2010
*Workshop & Train Maintenance*
Alstom Transport West Coast	A general increase to their basic rates of pay of 2%, with the exception of: red circled employees will receive a 1% increase to their basic with effect from 1^st April 2010. No increase in allowances. · In accepting this offer, employees agree to actively support and engage in the Company’s APSYS (continuous improvement) initiative. As published on the ALSTOM Intranet.	1 Apr 2010
Alstom Chester	· A one year deal for a general increase in basic rates of pay by 2%.	1 Apr 2010
*Road Transport & Bus*
DHL Coventry	· A one-year deal with a 2% increase plus productivity bonuses for warehouse members and KPL bonuses for driver members.	1 Apr 2010
Veolia Transport	· A 3% increase to all basic rates. · The next pay review date will be September 2011 and this will form the review date each year thereafter (unless otherwise agreed). · There will be no back pay to April 2010. · There will be no increases made on any enhanced rates.	1 Sept 2010
DHL Chester	· A 2% increase on basic rates from the anniversary date, no strings attached.	1 Apr 2010
*Infrastructure*
VolkerRail	An increase in the Overnight Lodge from £25 to £30. A reduction in Free Travel Time from 1 hour to 30 minutes. Removal of the daily £15.50 Mobility Allowance. Removal of the £5/£9 Subsistence Allowances.	1 Apr 2010
*Cleaning & Catering*
At Seat Catering	A 3.85% increase to rates of pay. An improvement to Maternity Pay to 6 weeks full pay and 12 weeks half pay with the remainder on SMP (Statutory Maternity Pay). Introduction of Paternity Pay at 1 weeks full pay. Inclusion of Arriva Trains Wales funded individual membership of the Transport Benevolent Fund (TBF). The Commission Start Point (CSP) raised from £540 to £560. Next anniversary will be 1^st April 2011.	1 Apr 2010
*Shipping*
Wightlink	Year One – January 2011 · An increase of RPI+0.4% with RPI as measured in October 2010 with a minimum increase of 2.5%. · In addition to the minimum percentage increase, the minimum cash increase would be £750 for full time employees which will be applied pro rata for part time and seasonal staff. Year Two – January 2012 · An increase of RPI+0.4% with RPI as measured in October 2011 with a minimum increase of 1.75%. · In addition to the minimum percentage increase, the minimum cash increase would be £775 for full time employees which will be applied pro rata for part time and seasonal staff. Year Three – January 2013 · An increase of RPI+0.3% with RPI as measured in October 2012 with a minimum increase of 2.0%. · In addition to the minimum percentage increase, the minimum cash increase would be £850 for full time employees which will be applied pro rata for part time and seasonal staff. Year Four – January 2014 · An increase of RPI+0.2% with RPI as measured in October 2013 with a minimum increase of 2.25%. · In addition to the minimum percentage increase, the minimum cash increase would be £875 for full time employees which will be applied pro rata for part time and seasonal staff.	1 Jan 2011

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

RMT Slams SWT’s profit-driven vandalism of Ticket Offices

2010-08-27T15:46:00.001-07:00

www.rmt.org.uk

NEWS RELEASE

August 26 2010

RMT slams SWT’s ‘profit-driven vandalism’ of ticket-offices

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST rail union accused South West Trains of “profit-driven vandalism” today as the Stagecoach subsidiary announced that it had gained approval for another round of cuts to station ticket-office opening hours.

RMT said that cuts at eleven stations (list below), approved by the Transport Department despite objections from users, would lead to a further deterioration in customer service and seriously increase the risk of assaults at stations at evening and weekends. SWT is waiting for approval for cuts at a further six.

Despite pre-tax profits of £170 million last year Stagecoach has made clear that it considers jobs and customer services less important than maximising the returns to their shareholders regardless of the impact on passengers and staff.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said:

“Once again South West Trains has put its shareholders’ dividends ahead of any consideration for safety and service for passengers with what can only be described as profit-driven vandalism.

“These cuts will mean more deserted stations, which will mean greater risk of assault for passengers and our members, as well as locked-up waiting rooms and toilets, and they will have a disproportionate effect on people with disabilities and on women travelling alone.

“Ticket offices aren’t only about selling tickets, they are about trained, uniformed staff offering helps and advice, about having a physical presence on stations to give a feeling of security and deterring assaults and vandalism.

“We know that passengers want to see more uniformed staff on stations, not fewer, but Stagecoach has shown once more that its sole concern is making the maximum profit.

“Rather than approving these cuts the government should be building into franchises minimum staffing levels that will ensure safety, security and service levels that people need.”

ends

Further information from Derek Kotz, 020 7529 8803, or 07939 595 092

Note to editors: SWT stations at which cuts have been approved: Ash Vale; Brookwood; Camberley; Clandon; Crewkerne; Hinchley Wood; Netley; Pokesdown; St Denys; Sunningdale, and Whitchurch (Hampshire). Stations at which proposed cuts are awaiting approval: Barnes; Berrylands; Christchurch; Farncombe; Strawberry Hill; Virginia Water.

Inflation Rates Circular (August 2010)

2010-08-21T13:55:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/151/10/MC

17^th August 2010

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.

Dear Colleagues,

Inflation Rates Circular

The largest upward pressures to the change in inflation came from:

· a variety of food and non-alcoholic beverages with the single largest upward effect from vegetable prices

· furniture, household equipment and maintenance where prices, overall, fell by less than 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

RMT PAY BULLETIN

2010-08-07T07:58:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/144/10/MC

28^th July 2010

H.O. Ref: R14/5

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS, REGIONAL OFFICES,

COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES & HO OFFICERS.

Dear Members,

June 2010 retail prices index rate: 5%

The June rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 13^th July 2010. The June 2010 retail prices index rate is 5%. This is down from 5.1% in May. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.2%, down from 3.4% in May. The next publication date is the 17^th August 2010.

Within the miscellaneous goods and services category the upward effects came from house contents and car insurance where average premiums rose between May and June this year but fell a year ago. The annual inflation rate for all insurance in June 2010 stands at 22.2 per cent, a record. In air transport fares rose by more than a year ago particularly on European and long haul routes.

Additionally there was upward pressure to the change in the RPI annual rate from housing. This was driven by house depreciation, which rose this year but fell 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.

Full-time Average Weekly Earnings by Occupation

Labour Research has published an analysis of average full-time weekly earnings based upon the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2009 (up-rated).

Occupation/Sector	Weekly Wage (£)
All workers	592.60
All male	648.80
All female	505.70
Managers	870.80
Professionals	791.00
Associate Professionals*	612.10
Admin & Secretarial	415.40
Skilled/craft	488.90
Services**	352.30
Sales	327.40
Operatives	448.00
Other manual jobs***	349.80

* Associate professionals includes technicians, nurses, police, firefighters, media/PR workers, train drivers, legal and finance workers and sales reps

** Services means personal service occupations such as care workers, travel assistants, hairdressers, caretakers

*** Other manual jobs includes farm workers, labourers, dockers, postal workers, porters, waiters and cleaners

Recent non-RMT settlements

Company /Sector	Award	Effective From
E.ON	A 4.1% increase to basic pay	1 Apr 2010
Panasonic	A 2% increase to basic pay	1 Apr 2010
AWB	2.8% increase to basic pay for grades covered.	1 Oct 2010

Recent RMT Settlements
Company	Award	Effective From
Railway
Southern	· A 3.7% increase to basic salary, hourly rates and allowances. · An overall minimum annual salary increase (including regional allowances) of £700.	2 July 2010
*Workshop & Train Maintenance*
Wabtec	2010 · A pay increase of 2.5% for all grades 1 to 6 will be implemented from 1^st April 2010. · A one-off tax free lump sum of £100 will be paid on implementing this agreement. 2011 · December 2010 RPI figure to be used as the increased amount, with a minimum of 2% up to a maximum of 4%. If RPI is more than 4% then this arrangement will be revisited with a view to holding meaningful discussions to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement.	1 Apr 2010
Bombardier Derby	· A 1.5% increase to the basic rate for Manufacturing Staff, Manufacturing Team Leaders and Manufacturing Staff Trainers	1 Jan 2010
*Road Transport & Bus*
Stagecoach South West	· An increase of 2%, effective 3^rd May 2010. · An increase of 1%, effective 1^st November 2010. · An increase of 3.15% or inflation if greater, effective 25^th April 2011 · Wellington drivers’ holiday entitlement increased by one day (total 22 days) on 3^rd May 2010 and one day (total 23 days) on 25^th April 2011	3 May 2010
First Wilts & Dorset	· An increase of 2.3%, no strings attached, across the board. This also includes all allowances.	1 Apr 2010
Wincanton Warehouse Enfield	· A 2% increase on all basic rates and allowances, with no strings attached.	1 Apr 2010
*Network Rail*
TELECOMS STAFF, NETWORK RAIL MAINTENANCE	· For those employees whose roles align with those in Role Clarity Bands 5-8 an increase to basic salaries of 2%, effective · This increase reflects that the 2009 pay award to ex Thales employees was less than applied to the rest of the maintenance function, and brings greater alignment to the aggregate increases over the last 2 years, ahead of what will be the 3^rd year of the current 3 year pay deal in maintenance in January 2011.	1 Mar 2010

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

SOUTH WEST TRAINS-TICKET OFFICES

2010-07-26T14:17:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/138/10/MC

26^th July 2010

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.

Dear Colleagues,

South West Trains Ticket Offices

Further to my last circular which highlighted the campaign your Union was waging in defense of South West Trains ticket office opening hours, your Union continues to fight against the proposed cuts and has advised South West Trains that we do not accept their revised proposals. We are still awaiting the final outcomes of the formal complaints lodged by both Passenger Focus and Travelwatch and will continue to mount a high profile campaign.

According to a report released on 20^th July 2010, Passenger Focus said people risked missing their train because they would rather queue than buy a ticket from a machine.

Queues at ticket offices often exceeded the industry requirement of five minutes during peak hours, with the worst stations found to be Guildford in Surrey, Winchester and Basingstoke. At these stations at least a third of queues at the ticket office were longer than recommended by the industry standard, despite ticket machines standing empty. Researchers found that passengers were more likely to face queues at off-peak times.

I will keep you informed of any developments in regards to this campaign.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Rail Union Learning Committee Minutes

2010-07-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

To advise all that you can now view and download the RUL Steering Meeting minutes from this site, and these can be found on the Left hand side of this site.

Company Council Rep meeting the Revenue LDC Representatives

2010-07-24T03:23:00.001-07:00

To advise that arrangements have been made for the Company Council Rep RMT John Donoghue to meet with the LDC Representatives for the Revenue Protection Grades to gain information on Signing on/off times to enable the Company Council to have an understanding of each depot.

The date for John Donoghue to meet with the LDC Representatives are as below:

03rd August 2010

09-00 Surburban Area

11-00 Reading/Windsor Area

13-00 London Area

Thanks

Bob Crow (RMT General Secretary) is on Question Time

2010-07-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Bob Crow (RMT General Secretary) is on Question time tonight at 22-35, on the panel with Bob is Damian Green, Sadiq Khan, Nigel Farage, and Ruth Lea.

Don't miss it

If you miss the episode click on the link below to watch the programme.. BBC NEWS Programmes Question Time news.bbc.co.uk

SWT Travel Pass for Retired Staff

2010-07-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

To advise that a Full Company Council meeting has been arranged with the Company involving all 4 Trade Unions to discuss the Issuing of the SWT Travel Pass for Retired Staff, this meeting has been arranged to take place on the 28th September 2010.We will update you as soon as this meeting has been concluded.

Revenue Protection Signing on/off-South West Trains

2010-07-22T08:43:00.001-07:00

Ref: Update for Revenue Protection Grades Members

As you are aware your elected Company Council Representatives met with the Company on the 22^nd July 2010 to discuss the issue of the Signing on/off issue for these Grade Groups in relation to making an principal agreement for all depots within South West Trains.

To update you that it has been agreed that the RMT Revenue Protection Company Council Representative (John Donoghue) along with the TSSA Representative will be visiting the elected Revenue Protection LDC Representatives to speak with them to seek information on clarification of the reasons that each depot require the allocated times for signing on/off, the date for this is yet to be confirmed and your LDC Representative will be advised of this as soon as possible.

When all this information is gathered from each individual LDC Representative the Company Council Representatives will meet with the Company in September to discuss this issue further.

'BEWILDERING' MACHINES BLAMED FOR OVER-THE-ODDS

2010-07-21T02:37:00.001-07:00

HHH INDUSTRY, TRANSPORT Ticket

21 Jul 2010 - 02:46

By Alan Jones, Press Association Industrial Correspondent

(ADVISORY: First ran yesterday under embargo)

Page 1: 02:46

Rail firms were urged today to overhaul ticket machines after a new study found passengers were paying more than they should to travel because of the "bewildering jargon" they faced.

Some passengers would rather join a long queue and speak to a member of staff at a ticket office after being "defeated" by machines, the research revealed.

Passenger Focus said people risked missing their train because they would rather queue than buy a ticket from a machine.

Queues at ticket offices often exceeded the industry requirement of five minutes during peak hours, with the worst stations found to be Guildford in Surrey, Winchester and Basingstoke.

At these stations at least a third of queues at the ticket office were longer than recommended by the industry standard, despite ticket machines standing empty. Researchers found that passengers were more likely to face queues at off-peak times.

Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said: "Passengers catching a train for the first time or buying a different type of ticket from their normal one may well be defeated by ticket machines.

"This stress adds unnecessary pressure to buying a ticket. However, many passengers who buy a particular ticket often or use a familiar ticket machine may have less trouble.

"Ticket machines can present bewildering jargon, a barrage of information and choices as well as incomplete information about ticket restrictions. As a result some passengers would rather queue to speak to a member of staff, buy more expensive tickets than they need to or just give up and join the ticket office queue.

"Passenger Focus's research on ticket queuing times confirms that at some stations industry guidelines on queuing times are not being met - as pressure to reduce staff numbers increases it is even more important that the industry sorts this out soon.

"As a result of this research some changes have already been made to machines and Passenger Focus is now working with the train companies to radically simplify what should be the straightforward process of getting a ticket. Most important is clear information about when off-peak and super off-peak tickets are valid."

Passenger Focus called for ticket machine improvements to give clearer, better information and said staff should be on hand to help people with transactions.

Bob Crow, General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "Here we have yet more evidence that plans to close or downgrade 90% of ticket offices will cause complete and utter chaos on London Underground and that similar plans on the overground are already a shambles."

A spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies said: "Passenger Focus's own figures from a survey of more than 30,000 rail users show that over seven out of 10 people are satisfied with ticket-buying facilities at stations.

"This suggests that most people use ticket machines with no problem whatsoever. They are there to cut queue times and make the process easier and faster for passengers.

"The research looks at queuing times at fewer than 1% of stations, and where issues with queuing had already been identified. This gives a selective and unrepresentative picture of how long people have to queue at stations.

"Train companies are in the business of keeping their customers happy. They invest a huge amount of time and effort in improving the choice that people have at stations when it comes to buying tickets.

"But operators are constantly looking to improve services for customers, and will continue to work hard and listen to feedback to ensure that passengers have a range of straightforward and simple ways to buy tickets, be it at stations or online.

"We will look at this issue with train companies to see whether any changes could be made that would benefit passengers further."

Anna Walker, chairman of the Office of Rail Regulation, said: "Passenger Focus' valuable research shows that buying a train ticket is not as simple as it should be. Ticket machines are often confusing, the best available fare is not always clear, and queuing times can be too long.

"We welcome Passenger Focus' commitment to work with train companies towards radically simplifying the process of getting a ticket. Alongside this work, the regulator is undertaking a review of how tickets are purchased with a focus on reducing complexity and looking at what more the rail industry could do more to improve passengers' confidence in planning journeys."

End

This story is embargoed.

HHH TRANSPORT Crime

20 Jul 2010 - 17:00

By Peter Woodman, Press Association Transport Correspondent

Embargoed to 0001 Wednesday July 21

Page 1: 11:36

Crime on public transport is costing society £1.5 billion a year, Government figures showed today.

Relating to public transport in England in 2006/07, the statistics showed that the total cost of crime on rail, light rail and London Underground reached £926.9 million, with bus and tram crime costing £574 million.

This is the first time that such cost-of-crime figures, from the Department for Transport, have been published.

They include all the consequences of crime, including health costs, court costs and preventative measures.

There were more than 77,000 reported and recorded incidents of crime on rail, light rail and London Underground in England in 2006/07, while the figure for bus and tram was more than 131,000.

Estimates of total numbers when unreported incidents are included raises the rail crime figure to nearly 197,000 and the bus and tram figure to more than 308,000. The estimated unreported figures exclude fare evasion.

The DfT also published research based on passengers' perception of personal safety on public transport based on studies conducted in 2008,

These showed that the public were reassured when public transport staff were visible but that the role and powers of staff were often unclear to passengers.

Some passengers said they had doubts about staff members' effectiveness in deterring crime or dealing with serious incidents.

Broken glass at bus shelters, stations with a lot of litter or bus stops with poor lighting all tended to make passengers feel insecure or uncomfortable.

Transport Minister Norman Baker is holding a round-table discussion today with representatives from passenger groups, the Home Office, British Transport Police and transport operators to discuss the research.

Mr Baker said: "I want to see more and more people using public transport and one of the key ways of encouraging this is to make sure it is a safe option.

"Passengers and staff rightly expect to travel safely and securely. Thankfully this research shows that crime on public transport is rare. However one incident is obviously one incident too many, but at its worst it can lead to reduced patronage, damaged vehicles, high staff turnover, and ultimately the withdrawal of services."

RMT transport union leader Bob Crow said; "These statistics show with total clarity that passengers want to see highly visible staff on public transport to give them the personal safety reassurance they expect.

"The figures back up RMT's campaign to stop the cash-led closure of ticket offices, and reductions in station and on-train staff that are being driven by both London Mayor Boris Johnson and the train operators.

"We have warned that cuts to ticket office, station and on-train staff are a green light for muggers and vandals and this Government survey shows that the travelling public are with us."

end

Company Council Visits

2010-07-18T05:35:00.001-07:00

To advise that the Retail Company Council Representatives will be on the area visiting staff at various locations on Monday 19th July 2010 and Tuesday 20th July 2010, the purpose of these visits are to speak to staff and gain issues that they may have and adress them accordingly. The locations that the Company Reps are visiting and the names of the Company Council Reps that are on the area are as below:

Rickey Goodman

Michael Campbell

John Donoghue

Monday 19th July 2010

Clapham Junction

Wimbledon

Surbiton

Woking

Basingstoke

Andover

Salisbury

Southampton

Bournemouth

Tuesday 20th July 2010

Salisbury

Eastleigh

Winchester

Portsmouth

Yeovil Junction

Honiton

London Waterloo

CCTV Installation and Agency Staff Update

2010-07-18T05:20:00.001-07:00

To advise that the Retail Company Council Reps along with the Regional Organiser met with the Assistant General Secretary and the Unions Executive in regards the increase of Agency staff being used to cover Train Presentation staff and Gate Line Assistant positions, it was agreed at the meeting that the Regional Organiser would write to the Company to seek an urgent meeting with them to discuss this item.

A brief discussion on the issue of the installation of CCTV screens at various locations within the Company, and a further meeting would be sort to have the Guards Company Council Reps present to discuss this issue, the Regional Organiser will be writing to the Company to request assurances that this equipment would not be rolled out to any further locations and a cap be put on the existing locations and removal of posts that had allready taken place. We will of course keep you posted on this issue and the future meetings that will be taking place

Inflation Rates Circular (July 2010)

2010-07-14T01:21:00.001-07:00

Circular No. NP/128/10/MC

13^th July 2010

TO: ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.

Dear Colleagues,

Inflation Rates Circular

The June rates of RPI and CPI were published by the Office for National Statistics on the 13^th July 2010. The next publication date is the 17^th August 2010. The June 2010 retail prices index rate is 5%. This is down from 5.1% in May. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, CPI, is at 3.2%, down from 3.4% in May.

Additionally there was upward pressure to the change in the RPI annual rate from housing. This was driven by house depreciation, which rose this year but fell 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

Retail Company Council Update

2010-07-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

To advise you all that the Retail Company Council Representatives will be meeting with the Company on the 21st July 2010 to discuss the issue of Signing On/Off times for Revenue Protection Grades within South West Trains.

We will update you on the outcome of this meeting on this website.

COMPANY COUNCIL INFORMATION

2010-07-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

There is now a Company Council e-mail address for you as the member to

e-mail us with your issues or concerns, or even tell us what you would like to see on the Website.

The Company Council e-mail address is: rmtcompanycouncil@gmail.com

CCTV Installation and Agency Staff Update

2010-07-11T04:58:00.000-07:00

The Guards/Retail Company Council Reps along with the Regional Organiser are meeting with the Assistant General Secretary on the 13th July 2010 at Unity House to discuss the following issues:

CCTV Plazma Screens being installed
Increase of Agency Staff within Train Presentation and Gate Line Grades

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Unions next steps on this issue, we will keep you posted on developments and the outcome of this meeting.

Health and Safety Representatives Constituences South West Trains

2010-07-11T03:50:00.001-07:00

To advise that the RMT and TSSA Unions are currently reviewing the constituences for Health and Safety Representatives for South West Trains, a proposal has been presented to the Unions for consideration.

There is currently a few issues we have with the Proposal and these are being currently being addressed with the Company, following an agreement on this it will enable Health and Safety Representatives to attend the TUC Stage 2 course as paid release from the Company. We will keep you posted on developments on this issue and information will be posted on this site with the final agreement.

Moved or Changed Your Job……

2010-07-11T03:39:00.001-07:00

It is imperative that RMT members who have changed their place of work, job title, home address and contact details inform head office or contact your respective Branch Secretary of their new situation.

This can be done by emailing info@rmt.org.uk, calling freephone 0800 376 3706 or changing them yourself at www.rmt.org.uk/members (click on 'membership detail').

Employers have used any discrepancy in RMT's membership database to challenge legitimate activity through the use of anti-union legislation in the courts.

Guards Free Day Payments Ballot Result

2010-07-08T11:03:00.001-07:00

Free day payments, Guards - South West Trains

Question: “Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?

”Number of Votes Cast 288

Number found to be spoiled 1

Those Voting YES 177

Those Voting NO 110

Free Day Payments Guards-South West Trains

2010-07-07T09:22:00.001-07:00

TO ALL RAILWAY BRANCHES, REGIONAL OFFICES & REGIONAL COUNCILS

Our Ref: BR2/7/6

8th July 2010

Dear Colleagues

I write to advise you that voting in the ballot was as follows:

Question: “Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?” Number of Votes Cast 288 Number found to be spoiled 1 Those Voting YES 177 Those Voting NO 110 The General Grades Committee has now had opportunity to consider this matter and the following decision has been made:

“That we note the ballot result and the wishes of our South West Trains Guard members. South West Trains have clearly reneged on the free day working arrangements and members are to be congratulated for their overwhelming vote. All members are therefore instructed not to work any free days from 00.01 hours on Sunday 25th July 2010 until further notice. A letter to be sent to all Guard Company Council Representatives, all Guard Representatives, all relevant Branches and a personal letter to all South West Trains Guard members. General Grades Committee to be kept informed of all developments. The company to be kept advised of this union’s availability to resolve this issue through the agreed bargaining procedure.”

In line with the General Grades Committee decision all South West Trains Guard members are instructed not to work any free days from 00.01 hours on Sunday 25th July 2010 until further notice. I am confident that this action will be fully supported by our members. I have informed SWT that we remain available for talks and I hope that management will see sense and take the necessary steps to resolve this dispute. In the meantime, I would like to urge all SWT Guard members to take industrial action short of a strike and stand together with their colleagues to help us achieve justice.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow

General Secretary

Retailing Strategy - PAYG

2010-06-20T05:32:00.001-07:00

To advise all that the Company Council/Regional Organiser will be meeting with the Company on the 29th June to have a further meeting to discuss the principals on the above issues. We will keep you posted on further developments on this issue.

Retailing Strategy - PAYG (Pay as You Go)

2010-06-11T04:23:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, 10/06/2010, Company Council Reps met with SWT Management to discuss the latest round of job cuts. A review was taken of Periods 6 & 7 against Periods 11 & 12 to establish the impact that PAYG was having at the following stations:

Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Feltham, Kingston, New Malden Norbiton, Putney, Raynes Park, Richmond, Surbiton, Teddington, Twickenham, Vauxhall, Waterloo, Wimbledon, Worcester Park. Data was presented, and as a result of this, a "review" of posts is to be made as follows...

Waterloo: Establishment FT 32 PT 22, Actual FT 29 PT 19, Proposed FT 27 PT 20
Vauxhall: Establishment FT 3 PT 2, Actual FT 4 PT 1, Proposed FT 3 PT 1
Clapham Jct: Establishment FT 8 PT 10, Actual FT 8 PT 10, Proposed FT 8 PT 7
Earlsfield: Establishment FT 4 PT 1, Actual FT 4 PT 1, Proposed FT 3 PT 1
Wimbledon: Establishment FT 8 PT 7, Actual FT 7 PT 8, Proposed FT 7 PT 7
Surbiton: Establishment FT 5 PT 5, Actual FT 5 PT 5, Proposed FT 5 PT 4
Putney: Establishment: FT 5 PT 0, Actual FT 5 PT 0, Proposed FT 2 PT 3
Richmond: Establishment: FT 9 PT 3, Actual FT 9 PT 4, Proposed FT 9 PT 1

A further meeting to discuss the principles of the changes will occur on 29th June, in order to give Company Council a chance to get a general idea of the reaction from the staff concerned. Company Council reps will be visiting the affected stations on Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th to collect information from the staff concerned. It is envisaged that the timescales involved are as follows... Consultation with Trade Unions... June 2010 Preparation of revised Rosters... June 2010 Discussions with LDC (revised working arrangements including rosters)... June/July 2010 New Rosters implemented... July 2010

We will, of course oppose these unnecessary cuts all the way

RMT-SWT COMPANY COUNCIL UNION NEWS

NETWORK RAIL AND SOUTH WEST TRAINS

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

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE INFORMATION STRATEGY – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

Ballot for South West Trains 2011 Pay Offer

RMT & TSSA Merger

Circular No. MF/7/12

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service South West Trains

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

South West Trains (Pay Talks October 2011)

Job Descriptions (Retail Grades)

PENALTY FARE TARGETS, REVENUE INSPECTORS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

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

New Inflation Rates

Slater News Renovation

South West Trains Pay Talks Update

Special Meeting for all Rail Workers (McNulty Report)

New Inflation Rates

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

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

RMT Pay Bulletin October 2011

RMT PAY BULLETIN

October 2011

Company /Sector

Award

Effective From

Recent RMT Settlements

Company

Award

Effective From

Bob Crow

Update on 2011 Paytalks

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

Revenue Protection Item

New Inflation Rates

Joint Union Statement on RMT/TSSA Talks-No 6

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

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS – No. 5

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS – No. 5

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS – No. 4

RMT PAY BULLETIN September 2011

RMT PAY BULLETIN

September 2011

Company /Sector

Award

Effective From

Recent RMT Settlements

Company

Award

Effective From

Bob Crow

Pay Talks with South West Trains

JOINT UNION STATEMENT ON RMT/TSSA TALKS - No. 3

RMT & TSSA MERGER

New Inflation Rates

Dear Colleagues

Please see today’s statement below:

STATEMENT 1 FROM GERRY DOHERTY & BOB CROW

RMT

TSSA

RMT & TSSA MERGER

Stop the fare hikes: demo for fair fares

Stop the fare hikes: demo for fair fares

RIGHT TO BE ACCOMPANIED/REPRESENTATION AT FACT FINDING INVESTIGATORY MEETINGS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS (BR2/4/4)

BRITAIN’S TWO LARGEST RAIL UNIONS AGREE TO MERGER TALKS

New Inflation Rates

Telephone Lines Unity House

Unity House: Temporary Phone lines

Unity House: Temporary Phone lines

The numbers are:

RMT PAY BULLETIN June 2011

RMT PAY BULLETIN

June 2011

Company /Sector

Award

Effective From

Recent RMT Settlements

Company

Award

Effective From