Hitachi Rail workers to strike tomorrow

RMT members working across East Coast mainline for Hitachi Rail will begin five days of strike action on Saturday.

The stoppage will take place at Craigentinny, Bounds Green & Doncaster maintenance depots across the East Coast mainline and will conclude on Thursday 1st February.

More than 400 workers will be taking part in the action on Hitachi Rail which maintains the rolling stock and signalling for LNER. Hitachi Rail have refused to make an acceptable offer despite the company making over £100m in profit last year and paying out a whopping £260,179,000 in dividends.

The union has carried out a risk assessment of the safety regime of Hitachi in the event of a strike and have found it is not up to standard and poses risks to the travelling public.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “We have made every effort as we always do to try and find a negotiated settlement to this pay dispute. However despite enormous profits and eye watering sums of money paid to shareholders, the company is unwilling to make a proposal that is satisfactory to the people whose work makes the company a success.

“Our members are showing tremendous strength and resolve by taking this action and we are fully prepared for a sustained industrial campaign if we cannot make progress on a new pay offer.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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