RMT - National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers

06/09/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/09/2021 01:31

RMT strike on SERCO Caledonian Sleeper goes ahead

RMT strike on SERCO Caledonian Sleeper goes ahead next week as company caught lying about talks with union

RAIL‎ UNION RMT said today that strike action on SERCO Caledonian sleeper goes ahead for eleven days from next Tuesday 15th June to Saturday 26th June in the wake of the company being caught lying to passengers about engaging with the union in talks when in fact they have been stonewalling 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 wholly down to their intransigence and refusal to recognise the hard work and commitment of their staff.

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 lying to passengers and giving false hope about talks when in fact none have taken place. The wholesale cancellation of sleeper services for the durat‎ion of the strike is wholly down to their intransigence and refusal to discuss pay justice for their staff.

'The company need to get round the table for real so that we can negotiate a fair pay deal for our members who have kept the service running throughout the pandemic.

'This contempt towards a loyal and dedicated workforce is completely unacceptable and RMT will be backing them all the way.

'The union remains available for talks aimed at resolving this dispute.'