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‘Final’ offer is not enough as tube staff prepare to ballot for industrial action

7th July 2009

Unite, the union representing over 600 engineering, electrical, and management workers employed by London Underground has today (Tuesday) decided to reject the employer’s ‘final’ pay offer.
 
Members of Unite, the biggest union in the country, will now be balloted for industrial action as they press for a just pay deal.

Unite says that London Underground's ‘final’ two year offer of 1.5 per cent in the first year and RPI plus 0.5 per cent in the second year does not reflect the fact that the average UK pay rise in spring this year was 2 per cent, and it does nothing to help Unite members to meet the real rises in the cost of living, which are not reflected by current inflation figures.

John Morgan-Evans, Unite regional officer, said: “London Underground presented this as a ‘final offer’, indicating to us that it is no longer interested in negotiating. In these circumstances we have no other option than to ballot our members on industrial action with a recommendation that they vote in favour. This was the unanimous decision at a meeting of our workplace representatives.

“Unite would welcome further discussions should London Underground wish to return to the negotiating table.”

Unite members in London Underground are responsible for maintenance, safety, management and power control. Industrial action by this group could stop the tube running.

ENDS

For further information contact: John Morgan-Evans on 07958 514 702 or Mark Di-Toro on 07918 640 579

Notes:

Three pay offers from London Underground have been rejected: an initial five year deal with a 0.5 per cent rise in the first year; a four year deal with a 1.5 per cent rise in the first year; and a ‘final’ two year offer of 1.5 per cent in the first year and RPI plus 0.5 per cent in the second year.

In 2008, job descriptions and salaries reveal that the average pay, benefits and bonuses of Transport for London (TfL) top management was £140,000. One hundred and twenty-three TfL managers earned more than £100,000 in 2007-08.