Unite members strike at EDF Powerlink may halt tube at Christmas
21st December 2009
Unite members working for EDF Powerlink will take strike action
for four days starting tomorrow (Tuesday, 22nd December) after last
minute talks broke down today (Monday).
The strike could halt London Underground services over the
Christmas period as the workers maintain its electrical
systems..
The workers, who are responsible for electrical maintenance on
London Underground, rejected a two year pay deal of 1.5 per cent
for 2009-10 and RPI, plus 0.5 per cent for 2010-11.
Since the privatisation and outsourcing of maintenance work on
London Underground, workers at EDF Powerlink have fallen behind on
pay and overtime rates. The workers are looking to close the gap
between their pay and rival companies.
At a meeting today (Monday), the company made a new offer which
included a marginal increase in the overtime rates, but no increase
in basic pay. The unions put forward an alternative solution, which
would have cost the company less, and benefited more employees,
however this alternative was rejected by the company.
Strike action will commence on Tuesday, 22nd December from 8pm
and will end at 8pm on Sunday 27th with a break on Christmas Day
when no shifts are scheduled. An open-ended overtime ban will also
begin on Tuesday, 22nd December.
Unite regional officer John Morgan-Evans said: “Our members have
seen their pay slowly eroded over years, and they are now making a
stand. EDF has failed to reach a compromise with Unite and now
there is a high risk that the tube will be brought to a halt at the
busiest time of year.”
ENDS
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