Wednesday 29th April 2015

Head Office Circular No. NP/075/15

To the Secretary all Branches,

Council of Executive members,

Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Dear Members,

RMT PAY BULLETIN: April 2015

The Office for National Statistics has published inflation figures for the twelve months to March.

The Retail Prices Index (RPI) stood at 0.9% for the year to March 2015, down from 1.0% for the year to February 2015.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) stood at 0.0% for the year to March 2015, unchanged for the year to February 2015.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) is the only inflation measure to use for negotiating pay. RPI is also used to calculate Index-linked government bonds, Privately issued index-linked bonds, National Savings and Investments, Corporation Tax, Business rates, Alcohol Duty, Tobacco Duty, Gaming Duty, Air Passenger Duty, Vehicle excise duty, Climate Change Levy, Car and van Fuel Benefit Charge, Regulated rail fares, Regulation of water and sewerage charges, Indexation of British Telecom’s wholesale charges and Interest payments on student loans.

Recent RMT Settlements

Company / Award / Effective From
Rail
GRAND CENTRAL / ·  An increase in Basic Pay of 2.5% or £550 (whichever is the greater) effective from 1st January 2015.
·  Commitment to meaningful talks on the retention of staff (Drivers and on Train) and will arrange an early meeting to start the process.
·  The Managing Director has personally committed to approach the MD’s of the new Virgin East Coast and existing TPE franchises with a view to trying to get their support for a renewed ATOC travel application. As you know our recent application was rejected by ATOC on the grounds of non-support by those two companies. / 1 Jan 2015
NEXUS (TYNE & WEAR METRO) / ·  In the context of the 1% cap on public sector pay awards imposed by Central Government, a 1% general increase for 2014/2015, backdated to 1st April 2014 for all members.
·  Negotiation of the 2015 pay and conditions review is to commence after the current dispute regarding the implementation of the 2012 agreement is settled through the appropriate legal channels. / 1 April 2014
Infrastructure & Train Maintenance
THALES / ·  All LR1-7 members within GTS will receive a Gain Share Scheme pay out of 4.04% of their base pay in the March paybill.
·  For those members not under Collective Bargaining, an average increase of just above 1.5% of base pay. For those members under Collective Bargaining, an increase of 1.6%.
·  For the RSS group, Thales intends to raise the benchmark salary by 5.24% (inclusive of 2015 pay offer) to recognise previous pay increases from 2013. This will raise the salary of those paid below the minimum level to meet the new benchmark. / 1 Jan 2015
VOLKERRAIL / ·  A 2.5% increase in basic rates of pay and taxable allowances, effective 1st April 2015.
·  An increase to the Short Term Lodge Allowances by £1 to £34.50 per night for lodging outside of the M25 and £44.50 for lodging inside the M25.
The Company currently have pension contributions at 1% of pensionable earning for both Employee and Employer. The Company is proposing to offer pension matching to a maximum of up to £10 per week if the Employee agrees to contribute up to £10 per week irrespective of earnings:-
·  If employee pensionable earnings in a particular week means that 1% is greater than £10 then 1% takes precedence.
·  If an Employee chooses to contribute more than £10 the Company’s contribution is capped at £10.
·  The Employee must agree to over contribute on an on-going basis, not ad hoc.
·  RMT members will not be disadvantaged should the general population of salaried staff ultimately benefit from a higher negotiated general percentage uplift in rates of pay as part of the 2015 pay talks. / 1 April 2015
VOLKERRAIL (EX-COLAS STAFF) / ·  A 2.5% increase in basic rates of pay and taxable allowances, effective 1st April 2015.
·  A 1.636% one-off bonus payment payable to all members.
·  RMT members will not be disadvantaged should the general population of salaried staff ultimately benefit from a higher negotiated general percentage uplift in rates of pay as part of the 2015 pay talks. / 1 April 2015
TELENT / ·  An increase of 4.1% for those members under Collective Bargaining working in Technology Solutions, effective 1st March 2014. This increase recognises that these members have not received an increase since Telent took over the contract.
·  An increase of 2.5% for those members working in the Rail Business, effective 1st March 2014.
·  An indication from the Company that if we notify them of our acceptance by 15th April 2015, members will receive their backpay in their April pay packet.
·  A commitment to enter into pay talks for 2015 in April 2015 to avoid further delay. / 1 March 2014
Maritime
STENA LINE (SEAFARERS) / ·  A 1.25% increase, effective from 1st January 2015.
·  A 1.75% increase, effective from 1st January 2016. / 1 Jan 2015

Yours sincerely,

Mick Cash

General Secretary