RMT calls second strike at Network Rail

摘要

Around 12 000 infrastructure maintenance workers employed by Network Rail took part in an 18 h strike from 12.00 on July 26, as part of an ongoing dispute over harmonisation of pay and conditions. NR and RMT had re-opened negotiations after an initial strike on June 14-15, but the union called off the talks on July 18. RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said 'it is clear that the company is still trying to use what should be talks about harmonisation as a cost-cutting attack on jobs and conditions'. Pointing out that NR could not afford the proposed changes 'that would increase our salary bill by ￡100m, while offering nothing in return', Human Resources Director Peter Bennett said the company 'had believed good progress was being made, against an agreement with the RMT to keep talking until the end of July.'