(01 Jun 2015, 5:50 pm)northern156 I really can't make my mind up whether they'll want to vote for strike action again - especially for such a poor offer. Quite strange that if they've been getting their backs up about it previously...
See I can completely understand the offer initially being rejected, as Network Rail tried to sell it to the unions as up to 2% for 2015 in exchange for terms and conditions. Unions like the RMT would always reject such proposals out of hand, and it's baffling as to why companies still try to hold members over a barrel, rather than negotiate any proposed terms changes separately.
The next offer took the terms and conditions off the table, but they put down an offer of 0% for 2015 with a non-consolidated £500 payment instead, then RPI inflation for 2016, 2017 and 2018 as a four year deal. The offer did however add a no-compulsory redundancy agreement until Dec-2016, but as a whole, the offer was quite rightly rejected as a shocking 4 year package.
The new offer is:
- 1% consolidated for 2015 under pinned by £250, and backdated to 01/01/2015
- 1.4% consolidated for 2016 from 01/01/2016.
- Extension of no compulsory redundancy agreement across the bargaining units until 31/12/2016.
- Agreement to enter into discussions to agree a 'comprehensive job security package'.
I'm not sure whether they'll go for it myself. I'd be wanting Network Rail to increase those percentages slightly, and certainly have a better underpinning on both years. After all, 1% of sod all is still sod all. The last point has the potential to be beneficial, but it's never a given that the two parties will agree on something.
