Network Rail has withheld annual bonuses from its union members who took half in strikes, in a transfer that threatens to additional bitter industrial relations.
The state-owned railway infrastructure supervisor settled the pay dispute with its workforce in March this 12 months, after RMT members voted to just accept an increase value 9% over two years.
However, Network Rail has informed employees that these who took half in any of the strikes from June 2022 onwards that they won’t obtain a bonus.
The RMT known as the transfer “disgraceful” and an try to divide employees within the union.
The bonus is known to have been a lot decrease than traditional this 12 months proudly owning to Network Rail’s efficiency, which was closely affected by the strikes. However, these who didn’t strike will obtain about £300.
About 20,000 RMT members are anticipated to be affected by the choice.
A Network Rail spokesperson confirmed that bonuses can be withheld and defended the transfer. They mentioned: “Awarding performance-related pay [PRP] is Network Rail’s means of recognising colleagues for their contribution to attaining the corporate’s efficiency targets. We have been crystal clear with each our commerce unions and our staff that the price of strike motion would straight influence the PRP scheme.
“Our place was made very clear: any discretionary funds would deal with these who continued to help rail companies throughout industrial motion.”
The resolution has upset employees, with many nonetheless aggrieved at sub-inflation pay rises after being lauded as frontline employees throughout Covid.
More than 12,000 individuals have signed a petition on the Organise platform calling on Network Rail to reinstate the bonuses.
The RMT common secretary, Mick Lynch, mentioned: “The resolution to exclude commerce unionists from this bonus scheme is disgraceful and is understandably inflicting vital consternation amongst members.
“It is evident that the stance adopted by Network Rail each penalises and discriminates towards members for exercising their human proper to affiliate and to take part in lawful commerce union actions. However, authorized protections solely exist for these who are unfairly dismissed for participating in lawful strike or different industrial motion which known as formally.”
In an electronic mail to members, he mentioned: “As the bonus scheme is discretionary, and not a contractual obligation, the decision to exclude RMT members has been taken in bad faith and is a transparent attempt to divide the workforce and undermine your union, by specifically rewarding those who refused to stand in solidarity with union members taking essential strike action.”
RMT members at prepare operators in England are nonetheless in dispute and can strike once more on Saturday, inflicting widespread disruption.
Another four-day strike by RMT rail employees over pay, on the Unipart provide agency in Crewe, begins on Tuesday.
