TSSA ballots for strike action in Great Western Railway 

Rail union TSSA is to ballot members working across several roles at Great Western Railway (GWR) for possible strike action and action short of a strike in a dispute with the company relating to pay, pensions and workload.  

Members will each take part in the ballots, which open on Thursday 22nd October and close on Wednesday 11th November. GWR was served with notice to ballot as of 14th October.  

One dispute is around 'flexibility allowances' for shift work, with the union calling for these to come under basic pay. This is a means of protecting salary and enhancing pension rights.  

In discussion with GWR the union has also pointed out that these workers run the risk of poorer health outcomes and lower life expectancy as a result of night shift working and currently see their pay negatively impacted when taking maternity or other similar leave (because the majority of this is only calculated on the basis of basic pay).  

The union also believes these workers find it harder to afford mortgages under the existing arrangements and end up paying higher interest rates as a result.  

The dispute relating to flexible working affects TSSA management members in a number of areas at GWR – Rostering & Resources, Train Service Delivery, Performance Strategy and Network Delivery who carry out critical work that keeps the railways running in roles either in or linked to the Control Centre enabling both trains and train crew to be where they need to be so that train services run.  

Support for industrial action has already been expressed in an indicative ballot of almost 100 members held by TSSA. On the question of taking strike action 85 per cent of those taking part voted in favour. The figure for those indicating in favour of action short of a strike was 98 per cent.  

In a separate dispute concerning Clerical Grades - members working for the Finance Directorate within Retail Accounts at GWR are also being balloted for strike and action short of a strike.  

This is over the addition to their workload of 'accounts receivable' work, where they are now expected to chase other organisations to pay unpaid bills, this has never previously been part of the role, but is as a result of a reorganisation, all whilst being graded lower than other equivalent clerical roles within the business, staff are now asking to be re-graded in a bid for parity with other clerical colleagues.   

Again, in an indicative ballot there was widespread support for industrial action – with 60 per cent in favour of strike action and 80 per cent backing action short of a strike.  

Commenting, TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: "Our members at GWR have already made their feelings clear and we expect them to do so again when these ballots take place.  

"That makes strike action and action short of a strike highly likely unless the company addresses these perfectly legitimate demands. It's in no way reasonable for our members to suffer any financial hardship for doing shift work which in itself runs the increased risk of physical and mental impairment.  

"Likewise, for clerical grades, it's simply not acceptable that they see their workloads increase without that reflecting both grading and pay.  

"Our union only uses strike action as a last resort, so the ball is very much in GWR's hands. We stand ready to get back around the table and talk at any time."  

At GWR - TSSA has collective bargaining rights for ticket office, clerical and revenue protection staff, and also represents managers.