First TransPennine Express ‘can avoid strikes by tabling a serious pay offer’ rather than a pay cut, and has ‘only itself to blame for industrial action’ scheduled to take place on August 24 and 26 by some 400 RMT members, the union said today.
The RMT today renewed its call for the ‘profitable company to offer more than the real-terms pay cut it’ has tabled so far with its sub-inflation offer of 2.2%.
Driver members of the union ASLEF are also planning on striking over pay and working conditions.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said:
“Whatever way you look at it, First TPE can afford to offer more than the pay cut they have tabled.
“The company can hardly be surprised that our members have voted for action when its latest accounts show profits up 13%.
“To offer our members an effective pay cut when inflation is at 5% is an insult to the people who actually get out there and make the company’s money.
“The company’s pay bill even went down by 3.3% because it employed fewer people, so it is asking its staff to work harder for less – and that is unacceptable.
“First TPE is well aware that we are ready to talk, but it needs to take a reality check and recognise that our members are justifiably angry at what has been on offer so far.”
