EMR shocked and disappointed at strike action

East Midlands Railway is extremely disappointed RMT members have voted in favour of strike action in the midst of an international Covid pandemic and while benefitting from unprecedented levels of taxpayer support.

This is the wrong decision for the railway, the East Midlands and the towns and cities EMR serves.

The timing of the strike action deliberately coincides with the introduction of EMR’s new timetable, which provides more seats and more services for the East Midlands – helping to encourage customers back to the railway and support the region’s recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.

This is a long running dispute that significantly predates the EMR franchise – stretching back as far as 2008.

This vote for strike action follows the RMT’s National Executive decision not to allow EMR Senior Conductors to formally vote on the latest offer from EMR via formal referendum. This was EMR’s third offer which was the result of 18 months of close collaboration and followed previous generous offers, which were verbally accepted by local RMT representatives.

Having formally received RMT’s feedback on the revised offer on 16 April, EMR subsequently requested that RMT suspend action and resume discussions.  It is extremely disappointing that instead of resuming discussions they have chosen instead to take strike action.

RMT has not disclosed the full details of EMR’s latest offer which included:

• Reduction in the working week from 37 hours over 5 days to 35 hours over 4 days with no reduction in salary
• A goodwill payment of approximately £5,000 for around 75 Senior Conductors
• Introduction of a new Apprenticeship Scheme with generous pay rates that includes a starting salary of £23,000 with 100% of salary (£31,102.29) being paid on the 12-month anniversary having gained the Apprenticeship qualification
• Creation of a new mentor grade which gives a 4% pensionable salary increase

The level of job security during the Covid pandemic for colleagues at EMR and across the railway is in stark contrast to other businesses and industries. Not a single permanent member of EMR staff has lost their job, been placed on furlough or had their salary reduced.

EMR remains open to discussions with RMT, mindful that any future offers would be funded under the terms of our Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement (ERMA).

EMR’s contingency arrangements means we are confident we will still be able to offer the vast majority of our normal timetable.  More details on services will be released in the coming days.

Will Rogers, Managing Director, East Midlands Railway, said:

“This is the wrong decision for the East Midlands and the towns, cities and communities we serve.

“This strike action comes at a time of national recovery, when the Government is paying billions of pounds to keep trains running and protect jobs.

“It is also purposefully timed to coincide with the first day of a new timetable which provides more services and more seats to help support the region’s recovery. Combined, this decision damages our ability to support the East Midlands recovery from the Covid pandemic and attract people back to the railway and support public transport as a whole.

“To be clear, the terms on offer included a reduction in working days and hours with no change to salary, the introduction of a new and generously paid apprentice scheme, a new Mentor scheme with a 4% salary increase and a number of other improvements. 

"Our absolute priority is to provide safe and sustainable journeys for our customers. That includes encouraging passengers back to the railway so we can return to being a growing industry which provides jobs and transport.

“It is clear this is not the RMT’s priority.

“Meanwhile, we are confident in our contingency arrangements to ensure our services continue to operate and help those customers who need to travel, to continue to do so."

Temporary timetables will be published shortly and passengers are advised to check www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk before their journey to obtain the latest information.