RMT Amey pay update march 2010

  

AMEY PAY NEGOTIATIONS 2010

We have now had three meetings with the Company to consider the RMT pay claim for 2010.

Key elements of RMT claim:

Ø      Substantial rise in Basic Pay, including allowances. Special attention to the lowest paid.

Ø      All members to have access to a 'Final Salary Pension Scheme'

Ø      Progress on Family Friendly agreements, Travel Facilities, Shorter working week,  London and south East allowances.

First Meeting, February 18:

RMT Presented our Claim. The company informed us of the work situation across AMEY and that they were only in a position to offer 0% on pay but they asked us that we come back with suggested ways of saving money for the company.

Second meeting, March 25:

RMT responded that 0% would not be acceptable to our members and that the RMT claim was for a cost of living increase "without strings". However once we have reached a satisfactory outcome to pay discussions we would then be prepared to enter into meaningful 'Restructuring negotiations' with AMEY with the intention of achieving a mutually acceptable package which we could put to our members.

After much discussion we persuaded the company to make a no strings offer.  This offer was 0.5% on basic rates of pay but not allowances. AMEY have said they have "no money" to pay any more and that this is their final offer on Pay. They offered a further meeting on Wednesday 31 March to respond on other aspects of the claim.

RMT Reps made absolutely clear to the company thier view that this offer was very poor considering that AMEY had a 'record year in 2009' with their financial results, that the staff had been hard working, flexible and committed and this is why AMEY has been very successful (In fact Award winning !) in winning Rail contracts. A very significant point of principle to the reps was that senior managers have reportedly received attractive performance bonuses but were now declining staff a decent cost of living increase.

Third and final meeting: March 31st.

We met with the company as they said they wanted to respond on the other parts of our claim. At this meeting they told us that "after discussions across the business they were now in a position to put a revised offer of 1% on basic salaries (not allowances) as a final no strings offer". Your RMT negotiation team still do not feel this is a good offer. We will now report the position to the RMT Executive and we will let you know our position as soon as possible.

RMT Commitment:                               

RMT is absolutely dedicated to achieving a fair result for all of our AMEY members this year.

RMT is willing to be involved in Restructuring Negotiations once we have achieved a fair outcome with pay. We acknowledge that the company have aspirations as do our members. Any outcome of restructuring negotiations would go to the RMT Executive and our members will always have the final say in a referendum ballot before any changes.

Only members of the Union will be consulted on pay and any restructuring.