SERCO Caledonian Sleeper refuse ACAS talks

RAIL‎ UNION RMT said today that strike action on SERCO Caledonian sleeper remains rock solid three days in as the company blocks union efforts to get ACAS talks underway to discuss ending the pay freeze they are imposing on employees.

The current action will last for eleven days with the company preferring to reimburse fares, cancel services and create disruption for the travelling public rather than agreeing to union calls for ACAS talks with a view to negotiating a settlement.

It's SERCO's hardworking sleeper staff who have kept the service running throughout the Covid pandemic and who are now determined to see pay justice. The union says that the wholesale cancellation of services for the during of the strike announced by SERCO is entirely down to their intransigence and refusal to recognise that hard work and commitment of their staff.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said:

'Our members are standing rock solid three days into the strike action on the Caledonian Sleeper and SERCO need to stop their ongoing campaign of misinformation to both passengers and staff alike and respond positively to the union approach for urgent ACAS talks .

'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.

'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.

'RMT sleeper members are showing right now that they are prepared to fight for their living standards and livelihoods and the company should stop dragging their heels and respond positively to our call for ACAS talks.'