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06/03/2006
Rail strike threat over pensions row
The UK could face the biggest strike on the nation's railways in 80 years in a dispute over pensions.
Four unions - the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, Aslef, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association and the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions - have launched a campaign aimed at highlighting the concerns over rail workers' pension schemes.
Since the industry was privatised ten years ago, the number of pension schemes has increased from 1 to 101. The unions are hoping to keep contributions at agreed levels, maintain benefits, keep schemes open to new entrants and move towards establishing a single pension fund for all rail employees.
The unions warned that there was a "growing crisis" over concerns that workers will be forced to contribute more to pension funds.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said that some workers faced a doubling of pension contributions, amounting to 21% of their salary. He said: "If this is not resolved we could see a ballot for strike action, coordinated by all unions in the industry."
The unions will hold a series of rallies around the country, including Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and London, in order to explain the dispute to rail workers and discuss possible strike action.
(KMcA/GB)
Four unions - the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, Aslef, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association and the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions - have launched a campaign aimed at highlighting the concerns over rail workers' pension schemes.
Since the industry was privatised ten years ago, the number of pension schemes has increased from 1 to 101. The unions are hoping to keep contributions at agreed levels, maintain benefits, keep schemes open to new entrants and move towards establishing a single pension fund for all rail employees.
The unions warned that there was a "growing crisis" over concerns that workers will be forced to contribute more to pension funds.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said that some workers faced a doubling of pension contributions, amounting to 21% of their salary. He said: "If this is not resolved we could see a ballot for strike action, coordinated by all unions in the industry."
The unions will hold a series of rallies around the country, including Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and London, in order to explain the dispute to rail workers and discuss possible strike action.
(KMcA/GB)
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