West Coast rail services threatened by strike action

Train services on the busy West Coast Main Line service could face major disruption after members of the RMT rail union voted by more than nine to one in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay.

The union members all work for Virgin Trains and include train managers, on-board catering staff, plus station, clerical and retail workers.

Almost 1,800 workers took part in the ballot, which asked members if they were also in favour of industrial action short of striking.

The union said the ballot result would now be considered by its Executive, which would decide on the next steps.

At the heart of the dispute is the RMT demand for a suitable pay offer equal to that agreed for Virgin Trains’ drivers.

It said Virgin had agreed a deal for drivers to buy out their claim for a one hour reduction in the base working week without loss of pay by giving an additional £500 on their basic salary, which is pensionable, whilst asking RMT to enter into self-financing arrangements for other grades.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members have voted overwhelmingly for action in this ballot which is all about workplace equality and workplace justice.

“All our members are demanding is a suitable and equal offer to that given to drivers to buy out their claim for a reduction in the base working week. We have made it clear to the company that the inequality and underhanded approach of Virgin will be fought tooth and nail. We will not accept our members being dealt with less favourably than others.”

The union has also said that in view of the company’s actions, it intends to ballot its members on Virgin’s sister service on the East Coast.
It said it remained opposed to efforts to create a two-tier workforce.

Virgin Trains said it hoped the dispute could be settled amicably but if strike action did take place then it hoped to maintain services.

It said it had offered workers an above average 3.2% annual pay increase but remained open to talks with the union.

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