RMT Station Staff Bulletin (FGW)
The 2006 pay deal is 3.8% or £650, whichever is greater. 1,200 staff will get more than 3.8% as a result of the flat rate increase of £650 as follows: staff on £11,000 salary = 6% pay rise; £12,000 = 5.4%; 13,000 = 5% exactly; £14,000 = 4.65%; £15000 = 4.35%; £16000 = 4.05%; £17000 = 3.83%. Most of these low-paid staff are from former Wessex and FGW Link.
Although the flat-rate increase goes some way towards addressing the pay gap, the RMT will not be satisfied until there is equal pay for station staff doing comparable work.
This issue will be addressed during harmonisation talks, We have told the company that the issues of equal pay and the 35-hour week must be settled by March 31st 2007, or we’ll be in dispute with FGW.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Also agreed were reciprocal travel arrangements across the 3 former companies. FGW have caused confusion by being slow to inform staff officially of this arrangement, and have confused matters further by sending out a circular about extending expiry dates on existing travel passes.
The RMT is still pursuing the issue of facilities for retired staff and discrimination against post-privatisation staff.
TICKET VENDING MACHINES
A consultation over implementation of new machines starts on Tuesday 7th November. Local RMT reps have consulted with staff over this and the feedback will go to this meeting. RMT will not accept any staff cuts over TVM implementation, nor staff being given extra duties without compensation, nor lone staff emptying and servicing machines. TVMs should be used to complement, not replaTVMs should complement, not replace, existing services. Stations and passengers are best served by people, not machines.
HARMONISATION
Station Staff divisional/sectional council reps meet on 3rd and 16th November to prepare our proposals for bringing pay, conditions and bargaining machinery into line across the 3 previous companies which make up the new franchise. These proposals will be put to Joint Station Staff Divisional/Sectional Council meeting on 22nd November. We expect harmonisation to be a long process, but will not accept delay on the 2 issues of unequal pay and 35-hour week.
Until we can agree one structure and a timetable for elections, local/sectional/divisional representatives will stay in post. Get in touch with Regional Office ( 0117 925 5018) if you’re not sure who your local rep. is.
UNIFORM
We’ve proposed setting up a Uniform Committee to deal with problems such as trousers so thin the hairs on cold male legs stick through! Female staff who do retail work can now order cardigans, however, whatever their grade!
STATION STAFF DIVISIONAL/SECTIONAL COUNCIL REPS
FORMER FGW LINK
Chris Reilly 07880 503340
FORMER WESSEX
Ian Baikie (Clerical) 07855 185314
Glen Burrows (Rail Operators) 07764 994541
Tim Wilkinson (Rail Operators)07760 377515
FORMER FGW
Ken Battishill (Clerical) 07929 596970
Phil Boston (Station Staff) 07841 295235
Mike Llewellin (Station Staff) 01225 446159