TSSA members vote for strike action at GWR

TSSA members working across several roles at Great Western Railway (GWR) have strongly backed strike action and action short of a strike in a dispute over flexible working arrangements, pay and pensions. 

Flexible allowances relate to shift work, with the union calling for these to come under basic pay as a means of protecting salary and enhancing pension rights.  
 
The dispute involves 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.  

A breakdown of ballot results show that members in Rosters and Resources voted 85 per cent per cent in favour of strike action and 95 per cent in favour of action short of a strike (work to rule measures).

For members working in Train Service Delivery, Network Delivery and Performance Strategy those voting to strike was 71.5 per cent, while 95 per cent voted for action short of a strike. 

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).  

In a separate dispute 100 per cent of Clerical Grades - members working for the Finance Directorate within Retail Accounts - voted to take action short of a strike but rejected strike action by a narrow margin.

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.

*At the time of writing no dates have yet been set for strikes or other industrial action.

"Commenting, TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: "Our members at GWR have voted decisively to take industrial action across these two disputes having already made their feelings clear in an earlier indicative ballot.

"Strike action and action short of a strike which will have a real impact on services at GWR are now inevitable 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 court. We stand ready to get back around the table and talk at any time."   

TSSA has collective bargaining rights for ticket office, clerical and revenue protection staff, and also represents managers at GWR 
 
GWR was served with notice to ballot as of 14th October.