NOTICE to MEMBERS
Re: PROPOSED UNILATERAL IMPLEMENTATION OF WAGE REDUCTION MEASURES 24th AUGUST
INDUSTRIAL ACTION
Members are advised that the National Rail Committee met today to discuss the proposed implementation by the Company of the unagreed wage reduction measures.
Having received a comprehensive mandate of 80% for industrial action up to and including all-out strike, the following proposal was put to the National Executive Council for consideration:
That the NEC would authorise the following series of industrial Action/s in the event that the Company would proceed with the unilateral implementation of wage reduction measures.
· A 48 hour work stoppage commencing at 00.01hrs on Sunday the 24th August
· Two further 24 hour work stoppages on Sunday the 7th September and Sunday the 21st September 2014.
· That a review will be undertaken by the NEC on the 23rd September.
The NEC has agreed to sanction the above.
The National Rail Committee held a lengthy discussion with regard to the type of action they deemed to be proportionate to the proposed action by the Company.
Options discussed included all-out strike, two day/one day stoppages and work to rule.
The option of an all-out strike has been set aside for now on the basis that it would unduly discommode the travelling public. However, the mandate for such action remains as an option should the NEC so decide.
The option of a work to rule was deemed to be both insufficient and unmanageable.
The National Rail Committee was of the view that such action would pit worker against worker and would have the potential to isolate members, particularly in small stations/depots.
There is also a considerable number of staff (membership ranges across all representative Trade Unions) who are either on secondment and/or acting on higher duty. Some of those have already been targeted by some elements within the Company.
The initial two day stoppage will take place in advance of school term and at the end of the traditional summer holiday season.
The decision to choose two 24 hour Sunday stoppages was taken with a view to dilute the impact on the travelling public as much as possible.
Members will already be aware that the Company have resorted to nefarious activities in order to undermine the democratically mandated Industrial Action.
The responsibility for such activities rests with the CEO who led the way, in attempting to interfere with the conduct of our legitimate ballot, by sending letters to staff in their homes, followed by emails in an attempt to circumvent the democratic process.
Finally, members are advised that we will be making every effort to attend at as many locations as possible in the lead-up to the 24th August as part of our ongoing consultative process.
DERMOT O’LEARY
General Secretary
24th August 2014
Total Poll = 493
Spoiled Votes= 1
Total valid Poll= 492
For industrial action up to and Including All-out Strike Action = 395
Against Industrial action up to and Including All-out Strike Action = 97