The votes for industrial action by the unions at all three employers in the ‘Passenger Transport Forum’ (PTF), which were particularly strong at TfGM, the employers have finally started negotiating. The situation is developing very quickly now.
On Thursday the employers proposed an additional £500 non-consolidated one-off lump sum on top of their original pay offer – and only for those on band 6 and below (38% of TfGM staff). This meant nothing more on pay or any of the other elements of the claim.
Unite and UNISON representatives from the three employers made clear that this fell far short of what members were looking for and invited them to resume negotiations when they were ready to discuss making a realistic offer.
On Monday the employers proposed a pay increase of £500 only for those on band 6 and below (38% of TfGM staff) and a £250 non-consolidated one-off lump sum for the same group – again on top of the original pay offer.
In neither case did the employers offer anything more than further talks on any of the other elements of the claim.
It is important progress that the employers are now negotiating about pay for the first time, and have abandoned the pretence that they can only offer what local authority workers were forced to accept because they didn’t exceed anti-democratic ballot thresholds and so were unable to take lawful industrial action.
However, your UNISON and Unite reps at TfGM believe the offer still fails to meet members’ expectations. It is not just that a pay increase of £1790 for the lower paid is lower than members have indicated they are looking for. It is also that this is divisive – the majority of staff would get no extra at all and some would see their pay fall further behind inflation. The employers have had plenty of time since the unions put forward proposals on the other elements of the claim in June to come up with their own, rather than just promising discussions.
At the Big Briefing, staff were told that TfGM have completed their review of maternity and paternity pay. Union representatives have requested that the results be sent to them.
Talks continue today (Tuesday 26 November).
The determination of union members is leading to progress. For anyone not in a union yet, it’s time to get on the bus. The more staff who are involved in the unions, the stronger the voice for TfGM staff. If you aren’t yet a member, don’t be a free rider – join today.
UNISON and Unite reps at TfGM