Member Article

Doncaster rail engineers vote for strike action at Wabtec depot

Rail engineering staff who are part of rail union RMT and working for Wabtec at the Doncaster rail works are set strike for five days next week over pay and conditions.

Following a “yes” vote for action the union’s Executive Committee has instructed members to take the following strike action by not booking on for any shifts commencing between Monday 15 December 2014 and Friday 19 December 2014.

Wabtec is an American-based company specialising in the maintenance, overhaul and refurbishment of rail fleet and it’s Doncaster operation is located on the former British Rail Engineering depot.

RMT has attended talks with Wabtec over pay and conditions over the past few weeks but calls for serious improvements to pay and conditions have been “ignored” according to the union.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT members at Wabtec do essential work and at the very least they should expect is a pay rise that reflects their commitment to the company. After all, it is the staff that generate the company profits for this large American engineering outfit.

“The Doncaster engineering works is part of the history and fabric of the railways in Britain and the engineers working on the site play a crucial role in keeping our trains rolling. Their massive vote for action in this fight for workplace justice is a reflection of the anger on the shop floor.

“RMT remains available for talks and we are in no doubt that the determination of our members will remain rock solid as they battle for a fair deal.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .