One of Spain's largest unions, the Labourers' Commissions (CCOO), says employees of the rail board RENFE want more staff brought in to ease their workload, shorter working hours and better pay. If a positive response is not forthcoming, the CCOO says, further industrial action may be staged in August and the strikes could extend to employees of the State rail infrastructure board ADIF. Staff are calling for RENFE to take on more workers, since the transport body's 'ageing population' means employees are retiring faster than they can be replaced. The CCOO says all vacancies need to be filled and at least a further 5% created. As at September 2018, RENFE had 13,694 members of staff, but the previous August this was up to 13,723 and workers still felt overstretched even then. Union representatives say the current numbers mean the rail board is unable to provide the quality of service to customers it would like to see as standard. RENFE had already agreed to take on extra staff, launching … [Read more...] about Rail strike announced for July 15
Rail strikes
Rail strike looms as workers balloted for first time in 25 years
Rail workers are being balloted on plans to hold their first national strike in 25 years. The move by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union comes amid a pensions row, with the Pensions Regulator warning train operators face a black hole of up to £7.5billion. The RMT claims the Government and train firms have failed to guarantee current arrangements will not be undermined. And an RMT letter to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling states it will take the “necessary action” for workers. General secretary Mick Cash said: “If it takes the first national rail strike in a generation to defend our members’ pensions, then so be it. “We will not tolerate a position where Chris Grayling and the train companies are playing fast and loose with rail pension rights and RMT members will not be left to pay the price for the collapsing chaos of the rail franchising system. “We have made it crystal clear that this union will resist any attack on our … [Read more...] about Rail strike looms as workers balloted for first time in 25 years
Train staff to vote on nationwide rail strike in pension row
Train drivers are set to vote on the first nationwide rail strike in a generation as union bosses lashed out against the government over pension arrangements. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will ballot thousands of members on whether to hold national industrial action over fears pension benefits could be cut. The RMT said the government and train chief have failed to offer “cast iron assurances” that members’ pension contributions will not significantly increase, or that pension benefits will be cut in future years. If workers vote in favour of action, it would be the first national strike since privatisation more than 20 years ago. “If it takes the first national rail strike in a generation to defend our members’ pensions then so be it,” said RMT general secretary Mick Cash. “We will not tolerate a position where Chris Grayling and the train companies are playing fast and loose with rail pension rights and RMT members will not be … [Read more...] about Train staff to vote on nationwide rail strike in pension row
RMT in national rail strike warning amid pensions dispute
News / UK and world by Press Association June 28, 2019, 8:03 am Updated: June 28, 2019, 8:19 am Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter The threat of the first national rail strike in more than 20 years is coming a stage closer after the industry’s biggest union announced it is holding a ballot in a row over pensions. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said the Government and train companies had failed to give assurances that there will be no undermining of the current pension arrangements. The union has written to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, the industry’s regulator, all employers and the Rail Delivery Group making it clear that if there is a move to impose reductions in future pension benefits or significantly increase member contributions, the union will take the “necessary action” to defend pensions. Preparations for a national rail strike vote involving more than 40,000 workers are now being put in hand. … [Read more...] about RMT in national rail strike warning amid pensions dispute
National rail strike threat as pension row with Grayling escalates
Union barons today warned of the first national rail strike for more than two decades in an escalating row over staff pensions. The threat came after transport giant Stagecoach was banned from bidding on three rail franchises — including Southeastern serving London’s most crowded routes — after allegedly failing to meet pension rules. Sir Richard Branson, whose Virgin Trains is 49 per cent owned by Stagecoach, said he was “devastated” and warned his train business could disappear from the UK. The Government’s row with Stagecoach centres on a big deficit in the Railways Pension Scheme. The Pensions Regulator has said up to £6 billion could be needed, but train companies have insisted the Government should offer support. The row sent alarm through rail unions, who fear it could affect workers’ pensions. RMT leader Mick Cash said “any attempt to attack” the pensions rights of staff would result in industrial action … [Read more...] about National rail strike threat as pension row with Grayling escalates