RMT begins Olympics payments ballots on three main train services this week

www.rmt.org.uk

NEWS RELEASE

July 2 2012

Immediate

RMT begins Olympics payments ballots on three main train services this week

RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that balloting for strike action and action short of a strike will begin this week on three main train services:

* South West Trains

* Greater Anglia

* First Great Western

Ballot papers will be sent to members this week with the votes closing on thursday 19th July.

The ballots come as RMT confirmed that it has now concluded substantial recognition and reward agreements on First Capital Connect, C2C, Chiltern, East Midlands Trains and East Coast to add to the industry benchmarked deals on Heathrow Express, Virgin, Network Rail, DLR and London Underground amongst others.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"With deals now concluded that recognise the massive additional effort of the workforce on the vast majority of transport operators it is a scandal that SW Trains, Greater Anglia and First Great Western have decided to try and force their staff to work longer and harder for little or nothing in return.

"We all want the Olympics to be a success but we cannot have fairness on some train companies and a slap round the face on others.

"It is rail staff who will be sticking in the extra work required to deliver the transport challenge of the Olympics, these train companies will be making a killing from the extra passengers and services and they should have the decency to match the best practice on payments across the rest of the industry.

"RMT is campaigning for a massive yes vote in these ballots and we remain available for meaningful talks to resolve these disputes mindful that the clock is ticking down."