‘Final’ offer is not enough as tube staff prepare to ballot for
industrial action
7th July 2009
Unite, the union representing over 600 engineering, electrical,
and management workers employed by London Underground has today
(Tuesday) decided to reject the employer’s ‘final’ pay offer.
Members of Unite, the biggest union in the country, will now be
balloted for industrial action as they press for a just pay
deal.
Unite says that London Underground's ‘final’ two year offer of
1.5 per cent in the first year and RPI plus 0.5 per cent in the
second year does not reflect the fact that the average UK pay rise
in spring this year was 2 per cent, and it does nothing to help
Unite members to meet the real rises in the cost of living, which
are not reflected by current inflation figures.
John Morgan-Evans, Unite regional officer, said: “London
Underground presented this as a ‘final offer’, indicating to us
that it is no longer interested in negotiating. In these
circumstances we have no other option than to ballot our members on
industrial action with a recommendation that they vote in favour.
This was the unanimous decision at a meeting of our workplace
representatives.
“Unite would welcome further discussions should London
Underground wish to return to the negotiating table.”
Unite members in London Underground are responsible for
maintenance, safety, management and power control. Industrial
action by this group could stop the tube running.
ENDS
For further information contact: John Morgan-Evans on 07958 514
702 or Mark Di-Toro on 07918 640 579
Notes:
Three pay offers from London Underground have been rejected: an
initial five year deal with a 0.5 per cent rise in the first year;
a four year deal with a 1.5 per cent rise in the first year; and a
‘final’ two year offer of 1.5 per cent in the first year and RPI
plus 0.5 per cent in the second year.
In 2008, job descriptions and salaries reveal that the average
pay, benefits and bonuses of Transport for London (TfL) top
management was £140,000. One hundred and twenty-three TfL managers
earned more than £100,000 in 2007-08.
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