17.07.14
Network Rail facing multi-million pound equal pay claim
A multi-million pound equal pay claim has been launched by the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) on behalf of female managers at Network Rail.
The union has launched the ‘pathfinder’ claim covering 30 female managers who are reportedly being paid between £3,000 and £4,000 a year less than their male colleagues doing the same job.
If the union wins its battle at the Leeds Employment Tribunal this autumn, the TSSA believes that there another 3,000 female managers who will also be in line for big pay rises to bring them into line with the men.
The news comes ahead of Network Rail’s annual general meeting in Reading tomorrow when its executive bonuses have to be voted on by the public members.
Network Rail has confirmed that its senior male executive bonuses had passed the £1m barrier last year due to bonuses as high as £350,000 at the taxpayer-funded firm.
Lorraine Ward, union assistant general secretary, who will lead a lobby against the bonuses, said: “The bonuses have been paid despite Network Rail missing its main punctuality targets last year and being heavily criticised by the Commons Transport Select Committee for its "callous disregard" of bereaved families whose relatives have died on unsafe level crossings.
“It is simply outrageous that a tax payer funded firm should reward those at the top with such huge amounts while at the same time discriminating against thousands of their own staff whohappen to be women.”
However, a Network Rail spokesman said the company is committed to equal opportunities and fairness and equity in its pay.
He said: “We are working hard, in partnership with our trade unions, to address any legacy imbalances within our pay structure. Those discussions continue. No-one at Network Rail received a bonus for train performance this year as our targets were not reached.
“Recognising that large bonuses are no longer an acceptable form of incentive for Network Rail, a new, substantially reduced bonus scheme, is to be put before the company's equivalent to shareholders (called Members) at its AGM this week which proposes to slash directors' maximum potential bonuses from 160% of salary to 20%.”
(Image: c. Jonathan Brady)
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