The Ticket Collector

Lincoln signallers to strike in support of colleague.

MORE THAN 50 RMT signallers in the Lincoln area are to take two separate days of strike action after voting by more than four to one for action in support of a colleague treated unfairly by Network Rail, and to defend agreed procedures in dealing with displaced staff.Signallers and supervisors in the Lincoln area will not book on for shifts that begin between 00:01 and 23:59 on Saturday February 23, and again on Saturday March 1.

The union also today warned that it would ballot all signallers and supervisors in the ‘Great Northern’ area between Doncaster and King’s Cross if the dispute is not settled within seven days.

The ballot was sparked when the company effectively tore up a national agreement by making redundant a local operations manager, with 33 years’ experience, rather than offering him suitable options under the established procedure.

Peter Gregory was made redundant from his post, despite his seniority, in breach of what is known throughout the rail industry as the PTR&R - the Promotion, Transfer Redundancy and Resettlement arrangements.

“Network Rail has effectively torn up the existing agreement and tried to deal with our member under a process that has never been agreed, and his colleagues have rallied round to defend their workmate and their conditions,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“We have made clear to Network Rail time and again that the PTR&R remains in place for all grades unless and until negotiated otherwise. These arrangements were negotiated in order to provide an industry-wide career path and to give anyone displaced the opportunity to relocate.

“By ignoring PTR&R in one case Network Rail threatens to do it to everyone, and RMT has today made it clear that if the dispute is not settled within seven days we will ballot all signallers and signalling supervisors in the Great Northern area.

“We remain available for talk, but our members have demonstrated that they are prepared to act to defend their colleague and their conditions,” Bob Crow said.

RMT Press Release