Fears of pay freeze prommpt union strike threat
TRANSPORT workers have been “stabbed in the back” over plans for a pay freeze, according to RMT General Secretary Mick Cash.
Staff working for train operating companies and Network Rail who earn more than £25,000 per year look set to receive no pay increase this year.
Many are classed as working for the public sector after the Government ended franchising ( RAIL 915). Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced a pay freeze for public sector workers on November 25 ( RAIL 919).
A Department for Transport spokesman said it would be unfair to increase the burden on taxpayers by funding rail industry pay rises. Government is currently supporting the industry by around £800 million per month.
Unions are considering what action to take next, including the possibility of national strike action. A joint campaign, Transport Workers Are Essential Workers, has been launched to highlight the situation.
Speaking on February 1, Cash said: “Today, transport workers who are risking their lives keeping our country moving have found out they have been stabbed in the back by the Government, who have extended the public sector pay freeze to the transport sector while at the same time it’s business as usual for the private companies who will continue to be able to rake in profits.
“RMT will have no hesitation in supporting national co-ordinated action to deliver our members the pay rise they deserve.”
His TSSA counterpart Manuel Cortes has written to Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris, stating: “As I’m sure you will appreciate, rail workers have put their lives on the line to keep our networks working during the Coronavirus pandemic. They are tired, scared, and morale is low.
“The Government stepped in to run our railways last year and handed over billions to private rail companies, with over £100 million of government bailout money going to shareholders in dividend payments.”
Cortes asked for confirmation of details of the pay freeze and for an explanation as to “how it sits with government praise for our transport key worker heroes?”
Network Rail spokesman
Jack Harvey told RAIL that in light of the financial pressures facing the public sector because of COVID-19, NR’s Chief
Executive, Chairman, executive leadership team and senior staff voluntarily declined a pay rise and performance-related pay this year.
A DfT spokesman said: “We have invested billions in an unprecedented support package for the railways, keeping services running and protecting frontline jobs.
“We are immensely grateful to everyone that has worked so hard to keep the railway running, but our focus must be protecting jobs, services and taxpayers through this unprecedented period.”