A ballot for action delivered a two-to-one majority in support of a strike which will run from 00.01 hrs on Monday December 14 through to 23.59 hrs on Saturday December 19.

The action will involve RMT signalling grades members at the following NR signalling locations in the Wales and Marches Operations Area; the new South Wales Control Centre, Newport panel, Vale of Glamorgan (Barry Box, Barry Relief, Aberthaw Box, Cowbridge Road Box), Rhymney Valley (Heath Junction, Ystrad Mynach, Bargoed), Cardiff panel and Port Talbot panel.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“Our members are furious at the attempt to bulldoze through rosters at the new South Wales Control Centre which we believe are all about saving money and which unilaterally rip up existing agreements. Their support for strike action in this ballot shows just how determined they are to force a management rethink.

“RMT maintains that the existing 12 hour roster is tried and tested and that the 8 hour roster that Network Rail are trying to impose at the new South Wales Control Centre when it opens in January will have damaging consequences.

“We remain available for talks and would urge Network Rail to get back around the table to negotiate a settlement to this dispute.”

See also:

Rail disruption fears as signal staff threaten to strike

South Wales Echo: Dec 5 2009
by Kathryn Williams

RAIL services across South Wales face “massive disruption” as hundreds of signalling workers prepare to strike.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union in South Wales and the Marches will walk out from December 14-19 in protest over a new roster system being introduced at the new signalling control centre due to open in Canton, Cardiff in January.

There were warnings last night that the move would lead to “huge and justified anger”.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said most services would remain unaffected because a contingency plan would see replacement staff operate the rail signals.

But the union condemned the plan saying it would involve replacing skilled signalling workers with “some sort of volunteer dad’s army”.

The workers, who voted 2-1 in favour of strikes in a ballot, are based in areas including Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and the Rhymney Valley. They are also based at Newport and Port Talbot.

They are angry at Network Rail’s plans to scrap the current roster system, which sees staff work 12-hour shifts three days a week.

When the new control centre opens in January, the firm wants staff to work eight-hour shifts more frequently. The union’s general secretary Bob Crow said: “RMT maintains that the existing 12-hour roster is tried and tested and that the eight-hour roster that Network Rail are trying to impose at the new South Wales Control Centre when it opens in January will have damaging consequences.”

The new Cardiff control centre is part of £400m programme to upgrade the signalling system in South Wales.

The union said the new centre was being used “as a way of demanding changes to working conditions”.

In a statement, Network Rail said: “The RMT is wrong to strike. Out-of-date, inefficient work practices cost Network Rail and passengers too much money.

“The RMT needs to recognise economic reality and bring itself into the modern world of work.”

The strike is planned for one of the busiest periods for Christmas shoppers flocking to Cardiff’s stores.

City centre manager Paul Williams said: “It’s imperative that every opportunity is maximised to negotiate with all parties to achieve an appropriate way forward that ultimately prevents this action being taken at the busiest time of year.”

Simon Pickering, Wales manager of the independent passenger watchdog, Passenger Focus, said: “It is passengers who suffer in the event of industrial action and we urge all parties to get round the table to keep talking and find a solution without resorting to strikes.

“In the event of a strike, we want train operators to ensure that plenty of accurate and timely information is given to passengers so that they can make an informed decision about their journey.”

Jenny Randerson, AM for Cardiff Central and the Lid-Dems’ shadow transport minister, said: “What is important is that negotiations begin immediately to divert strikes in the run up to Christmas.

“Passengers are already facing delays through maintenance work at this key time for the travelling public, and any further disruption to services will lead to huge and justified anger.

See also:

RMT announces six days of strike action by South Wales signalling staff over imposition of rosters

RMT: December 4 2009

RAIL UNION RMT today announced six days of strike action by a group of signalling staff in the Wales and the Marches Operations area over the imposition of rosters at the new South Wales Control Centre due to open in January 2010.

A ballot for action delivered a two-to-one majority in support of a strike which will run from 00.01 hrs on Monday December 14 through to 23.59 hrs on Saturday December 19.

The action will involve RMT signalling grades members at the following NR signalling locations in the Wales and Marches Operations Area; the new South Wales Control Centre, Newport panel, Vale of Glamorgan (Barry Box, Barry Relief, Aberthaw Box, Cowbridge Road Box), Rhymney Valley (Heath Junction, Ystrad Mynach, Bargoed), Cardiff panel and Port Talbot panel.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“Our members are furious at the attempt to bulldoze through rosters at the new South Wales Control Centre which we believe are all about saving money and which unilaterally rip up existing agreements. Their support for strike action in this ballot shows just how determined they are to force a management rethink.

“RMT maintains that the existing 12 hour roster is tried and tested and that the 8 hour roster that Network Rail are trying to impose at the new South Wales Control Centre when it opens in January will have damaging consequences.

“We remain available for talks and would urge Network Rail to get back around the table to negotiate a settlement to this dispute.”

ENDS