The long-awaited introduction of a new fleet of state-of-the-art Merseyrail trains has taken a huge step forward after a long-running dispute over guard positions was finally settled.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union voted in favour of proposals for establishing a new permanent position of train manager on the new Merseyrail class 777 service trains. This new position will continue the role of the existing guards on the new trains.
After a long-running dispute, both the union and Merseyrail have agreed on the new position. RMT members voted 84% in favour of accepting the company’s proposals in a ballot, the results of which were confirmed earlier this month. It brings to an end a long-running dispute that included a number of strikes over a three-year period.
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An agreement in principle was reached in 2018, protecting the role of the guard, suspending further industrial action. Despite the in principle agreement, the RMT reported in May that its members had voted against the staff deal for the new Merseyrail trains by a margin of 54.4% to 45.6%.
Following the new ballot, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch told members: “The matter has been subject to recent consideration by the union’s National Executive Committee who note the result of the referendum and I have been instructed to inform the company of our acceptance.”
According to the agreement in principle, train managers will be permanent employees and existing guards will transfer to the role on a salary of around £31,000. The document added: “It is agreed the implementation date will be when the first new 777 train goes into passenger service. The exact date will be agreed once a firm fleet arrival date has been agreed.
The RMT agreement marks a huge milestone in terms of finally beginning the roll-out of the new trains on the Merseyrail network. The dispute was one of a number of blockages that have delayed that rollout, with covid another key factor.
An agreement still needs to be reached with Aslef, the driver's union, but it is expected that the RMT deal means that deal can also now be struck.
Responding, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: "The introduction of a new fleet of trains on the Merseyrail network has been a long held ambition, but external issues such as covid have delayed their implementation.
“This agreement reached with the RMT Union is another important milestone - and I’d like to thank all sides who have worked diligently to deliver a deal that protects jobs, enhances the role of a second safety critical member of staff on every train and provides passengers with a value for money solution. Whilst the cost of living crisis continues, it is essential that public transport remains affordable and we attract more people to ditch the car to achieve our 2040 carbon reduction targets, which is a full decade earlier than National Government.
“We are committed to ensuring that local people are able to enjoy the new trains as soon as possible. There is an important lesson here however: it is only by getting around the table and working together in good faith that you can reach a negotiated resolution to these kinds of situations.”
Merseyrail Managing Director Andy Heath said: “We are pleased that an agreement has been reached with the RMT. Whilst there are still several milestones that need to be achieved before the new fleet is ready for passenger service, this is an important next step towards the introduction of the ground-breaking fleet of new trains onto our network. We look forward to continuing to work with colleagues at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to achieve these milestones, ahead of the planned launch later this year.”
The RMT is now balloting members as to whether to accept a one-year ‘no strings’ offer of 7.1% on basic rates of pay or a £1600 flat rate increase for grades below £24K whichever is the greater. Its National Executive Committee is “strongly recommending” staff vote in favour.
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