Press Release

19 April 2004

TSSA reps reject Network Rail offer

TSSA, the UK's second largest rail union, is to carry out a referendum ballot of its members in Network Rail following the rejection of a terms and conditions package at a reps meeting today.

The union, which represents 4,500 members in Network Rail, will now ask its members if they are willing to take industrial action short of a strike or industrial action up to an including a strike.

The dispute centres on a pay offer of three per cent, the implementation of a money purchase scheme pension to replace the final salary scheme pension and travel facilities for 2,000 non-management staff in the company.

TSSA will now write to Network Rail to inform them that the offer has been rejected. The results of the referendum ballot are expected on May 7.

If members decide to go ahead with strike action, TSSA will request permission from its executive committee to hold a formal ballot for strike action.

TSSA's general secretary Gerry Doherty said: "Our reps are adamant that the offer is not acceptable and as we are a listening union, we are going to wait until our members tell us what they want to do next.

"If early indications are anything to go by, I have no doubt that our members will call for industrial action. Morale at Network Rail is at an all-time low following massive redundancies last year in Project Violet and plans to close the final salary pension scheme to new entrants.

"TSSA is not going to stand back and watch the erosion of the terms and conditions of rail staff. It is our responsibility to protect standards within the rail industry for future generations of rail workers."

ends

For further information, please contact:
Hannah Leggett, press officer (020) 7529 8059 or 07769 682806 (mobile)

Notes to Editors

1. TSSA represents 33,000 members in administrative, clerical, managerial, professional and technical jobs in the railways, buses, the London Underground, the travel trade, canals, ports and ferries, and road haulage.