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The politics of the strike have sparked some heated debate, as thousands of rail workers begin nearly a month of industrial action. What is the truth behind trigger points?
“You said your members are making sacrifices … what’s wrong with putting a number on it?” – Mishal Hussain, BBC Today
The RMT’s Mick Lynch accused the presenter of “parroting the most right-wing material” and asked how much rail workers lose when they are on strike – a question seen as an attempt by the union to focus anger on low pay rather than show battle. In a positive light.
With nine days of strike action so far, and seven more to come, Ballpark estimates the total pay will be over £1,500, at £35,000 for the average full-time worker, although the RMT’s average pay figure is £31,000, Network Rail figure below.
Unlike some unions, the RMT does not pay striking workers, although it does have a hardship fund. And while Lynch is not withdrawing his labour, as he has been on pickets and in interviews since the early hours of the morning, the union says it donates its salary to the fund on national rail strike days (though not for every strike by RMT members – a fast track to bankruptcy). .
“Why do you need to target people at Christmas?” – Richard Medley, Good Morning Britain
A recent curious standoff between the GMB broadcaster and Lynch saw some meaningful debate over when Christmas begins – December 24, for Lynch, or late November for “commercial Christmas”, as Madeley insisted.
The broader question of timing is controversial. The union insists it is not trying to stop people going home for Christmas and says this week’s dates were chosen to coincide with a push for workplace reforms by Network Rail rather than the festive season.
The RMT strike, called for December 24-27, officially starts for shifts starting after 6pm on Christmas Eve – and the union says its passenger trains, which do not run for the next two days, should not be heavily affected.
However, rail industry sources say the action will mean most services will be fully completed before 6pm, with the last long-distance trains likely to arrive hours earlier than usual. The Christmas Eve schedule will be published next Tuesday.
Network Rail also says its consultation on workplace reforms has only been rescheduled for this week after the strike dates were called.
“Thousands of rail workers revolt against union leaders by voting in favor of pay deal” – Daily Telegraph
The RMT put the revised Network Rail offer to a vote, but urged members to reject it. Around 64% did so in this week’s RMT referendum with 83% voting. On Transportation Secretary Mark Harper’s reading, that’s more than half of the total electorate. But it is a more decisive majority than has been achieved in at least one other significant referendum.
Suggestions that Lynch’s power has waned are perhaps mischievous. Whether to continue backing strikes was not the same question – a poll in late November found more than 90% of the vote yes. Lynch himself is directly elected and can be dismissed by vote if the members so desire.
Network Rail is “cutting safety measures by 50%. If a train goes off the rails, maybe they’ll say, ‘Yeah, but we’ve saved a few million quid on the 2022 pay dispute.’ Railways will be less safe than they are now” – Mick Lynch, RMT
The sub-inflation pay deal – 5% for 2022, 4% in 2023 (after nothing in 2021) – is only part of the reason the offer is unacceptable, according to the RMT, citing workplace reforms that will reduce manual track inspections and move towards a more risk-based approach. move on
Claims that safety will be compromised by Network Rail are strongly denied, pointing out that the independent safety regulator – the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) – will analyze any reforms.
According to him, with more continuous remote monitoring of infrastructure, “safety for both workers and the public will really improve”.
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