RMT - National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers

06/14/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/14/2021 02:13

RMT strike on SERCO Caledonian Sleeper goes ahead

RMT strike on SERCO Caledonian Sleeper goes ahead tomorrow as company block talks with union.

RAIL‎ UNION RMT said today that strike action on SERCO Caledonian sleeper goes ahead for eleven days from tomorrow, Tuesday 15th June to Saturday 26th June, as the company continue to block and frustrate all attempts to get round the table to discuss ending the pay freeze they are imposing on employees.

Hardworking staff who have kept the service running throughout the Covid pandemic recently returned a massive 85% vote in favour of strike action over the freeze and are determined to see pay justice. The wholesale cancellation of services for the during of the strike announced by SERCO is entirely down to their intransigence and refusal to recognise the hard work and commitment of their staff.
RMT says it is disgraceful that rail workers are being expected to take a major hit to their standards of living when inflation is escalating and there are widespread reports of rising wage increases across other industries and sectors.

RMT members are to take the following strike action by not booking on for any shifts that commence between:-

• 11:59 hours on Tuesday 15th June 2021 to 11:59 hours on Saturday 26thJune 2021

Furthermore, with effect from 12:00 hours on ‎Saturday 26th June 2021, until further notice, members are instructed:-

• Not to work any overtime
• Not to work on your rest day

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said:

'SERCO need to stop their ongoing campaign of misinformation to both passengers and staff alike and respond positively to the union approach for urgent talks . The wholesale cancellation of sleeper services for the durat‎ion of the strike is entirely down to their intransigence and refusal to discuss pay justice for their staff.

'It is frankly ludicrous that the company seem happy to just write off services for the best part of a fortnight when talks that could broker a solution are staring them in the face.

'RMT's action goes ahead tomorrow as this contempt towards a loyal and dedicated workforce is completely unacceptable and RMT will be backing them all the way.

'I will say it again, the union remains available for talks aimed at resolving this dispute and we await a positive response from the company.'