RMT to ballot for industrial action on London Midland over pay & Sunday working

RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it has begun balloting members for action on London Midland in two separate disputes over pay and conditions of service and Sunday working.

The pay ballot, which will cover all RMT members, follows a rejection of a series of complex staged pay offers for the current financial year and through to April 2011;

· A 1% increase effective 1^st April 2009 and a further 1% effective 1^st November 2009 or an increase of £350 to salary effective from 1^st April 2009.

· An increase of 1.5% or RPI (Feb 2010) whichever is greater, effective 1^st April 2010 and a further 0.5% effective 1^st November 2010 or an increase of £350 (indexed to February 2010 RPI), effective 1^st April 2010.

The ballot for action in a long-standing dispute over Sunday working enhancements on London Midland, for staff excluding conductors and drivers, is being run in parallel following a delay after the company used the full force of the anti-trade union laws to wreck an earlier voting schedule. Voting in both ballots concludes on 17^th December 2009.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said today:

"RMT reps have worked hard to try and negotiate a fair deal for our members from London Midland on pay but the final offer from the company falls well short of what is required to reach an agreement.

"We know that London Midland have been put under special measures by the government for their failure to deliver a service and we cannot tolerate a situation where the staff are expected to take a hit on their wages and working conditions because of crisis management right at the top.

"RMT remains available for talks aimed at resolving the two disputes on pay and conditions and Sunday working.