RMT in dispute with Merseyrail

The RMT union has gone into dispute with Merseyrail over pay and conditions.

General Secretary Mick Lynch says the union is open to negotiations but is preparing to ballot for industrial action.

In a letter to RMT members, Lynch says that “RMT negotiators continued to push for an improvement on pay, pension and Sunday working enhancements. However, the employer did not make a further offer, only saying they would take the matter to a forthcoming meeting of their shareholders to seek approval to table a revised offer. To remind you, the existing offer containing two options fell way short of members’ aspirations, particularly as the percentage rise offered was 0.8% below the deal with was settled with the driving grades.

 “These matters were reported to a mass meeting of members in Liverpool last Sunday (6 October), which was attended and addressed by your Regional Officer and national officials. Following a constructive debate, it was clear from the meeting that your union should enter into a trade dispute with the company.

The union says it will ballot affected members for strike action and action short of a strike if a satisfactory offer is not tabled by Merseyrail.