25.11.15
Unions to consider polished LU pay offer for Night Tube
Rail union leaders are being urged to consult their members over the Night Tube after London Underground (LU) boosted its pay offer and changed staffing conditions yesterday (24 November).
The company guaranteed that the previous three-year pay offer will be extended to four years in order to provide further job certainty for Tube staff.
It also promised to take in more staff to lessen workload pressures, but removed its previous offer of £200 bonuses per shift to drivers.
Steve Griffiths, LU’s chief operating officer, said: “We have listened to union feedback and have made absolute guarantees, which mean no existing driver will have to work the Night Tube unless they choose to do so. Instead, we will hire part-time train drivers specifically to turn the service.
“We have also been working hard to secure a long-term pay deal in order to provide certainty for our staff and for London, so we are now adding a fourth year to the deal. This does not come at any additional cost to the taxpayer as it will be covered by our business plan. The first three years of the deal remain unchanged.
“I urge the union leaders to put this offer to their members so that London can get the modern night time service it wants and needs.”
The updated offer stands as follows:
- A fourth year pay deal:
- Year 1 would remain at an average of 2%
- Years 2 and 3 would remain at RPI or 1%, whichever is greater;
- Year 4 would be RPI plus 0.25%
- As before, LU will offer a £500 bonus for all staff on Night Tube lines
- It will no longer pay the £200 bonus per Night Tube shift to drivers
- The additional fourth year and the hiring of part-time drivers is covered by LU’s business plan
Source: Transport for London
Manual Cortes, TSSA union’s leader, made no comment on the offer itself yet, but blasted LU’s management for releasing the revised offer to the media before giving unions enough time to read its contents or consult with their representatives.
“This is no way to conduct industrial relations, build trust or display integrity towards our members,” he said.
“Of course we will be consulting with our union representatives on the deal now on the table. But I would repeat my call for Boris Johnson to meet with me face-to-face and discuss the future of the Tube in person. We will not conduct negotiations by media.”
RMT’s boss, Mick Cash, echoed Cortes’ claims by saying that “attempts to put pressure on the process” by negotiating via the media is “decidedly unhelpful at this time”.
Unions had decided to re-enter talks with LU management just two weeks ago in a fresh attempt to end the ongoing Night Tube dispute.
Decisions over the controversial all-night service in the capital had been stalled last month after talks between the two parties broke down once again – threatening to push the service back to 2016.
(Top image c. Tim Ireland/PA Images)