30th June 2006

Press release by the Rail and Maritime Transport Union

Comment by Ontrack chief operating officer William Peet claiming that Ontrack Infrastructure workers are not really rail workers have backfired on the company.

Many of the rail workers involved in the dispute have had long careers in the rail industry and are proud of the work they have done, irrespective of the fact that the industry was virtually wrecked by poor management through the 1980’s and 90’s, agreement advocate Scott Wilson said.

For Mr Peet to claim that a fair comparison with the Union claim is one of airport runway maintenance workers with pilots is breathtaking in its arrogance, said Mr Wilson. Mr Peet is fully aware that the comparison done was against similar skilled jobs in the rail industry.

The Union understands why Mr Peet is attempting to move the benchmarking out of the rail industry, his failure to do so leaves him with no choice but to accept that his employees are the lowest paid in the Industry, and that the Union claim must be addressed, said Mr Wilson.

Since Mr Peets press release the Union has been contacted by Members requesting a 24 hour stoppage in protest at his statements. The Union is requesting that calm prevail and any further action be decided on with cool heads.

The companies continued refusal to meet has also brought derision from its employees. Even if we can’t agree on the money currently, there are plenty of other issues that have to be resolved prior to the settlement of this dispute said Mr Wilson, the parties should be working constructively on these matters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media