RAIL UNION RMT will begin re-balloting on-train catering staff on Virgin Trains tomorrow (Friday 2nd October) for strike action and action short of strike action over the imposition of new working arrangements that disrupt existing rosters and increase the average working day.
RMT have already won a ballot for action with a massive majority but following an intervention by company lawyers, using the anti-trade union laws, the union have been forced to re-ballot. The ballot will close on October 22nd.
Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said:
"It is a disgrace that rather than getting round the table to settle this dispute Virgin Trains have chosen instead to throw the whole weight of the anti-trade union laws at their on-train catering staff to try and bulldoze through changes that would have a massive impact on their work/life balance.
"Not only do these proposals increase the average working day but they also disrupt the current flexibility of rostering, creating major problems with care and holiday arrangements. To make matters worse they are attempting to impose their plans without prior agreement.
"Virgin Trains staff have already delivered a 32% increase in productivity and instead of thanking them the company are hitting the catering workforce with these unacceptable attacks on working conditions.
"Our members voted massively for action last time around. The intervention of the lawyers and the use of the anti-union laws has only increased the anger and I am sure they will register a resounding YES vote again that will force the company back to the negotiating table."
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