12.07.15
Southern Rail engineers strike suspended
The RMT has suspended plans for Southern Rail engineers to hold a five-day strike following last minute talks.
Engineers were due to walkout from 5pm today (Sunday 12 July), after union members voted nine to one in favour of action in a dispute over working hours and procedures.
In a letter to union members, RMT general secretary Mick Cash said last-minute talks between the union and management had led to a resolution.
“During the forthcoming pay talks, Southern, with the agreement of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) will make an offer which will include a reduction in the working week, in a phased way, from a 39-hour to a 37-hour week by May 2017 as part of a multi-year deal to be negotiated with GTR,” said Cash.
A spokeswoman for Southern Rail said that the organisation recognises the hard work and commitment “our engineering staff has contributed towards the efficient operation of the company over the life of the franchise and any pay offer will be fully cognisant of this fact”.
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