Network Rail Gives Bonuses to Scabs

Network Rail has been alleged to unfairly treat trade union members by refraining from giving a bonus to employees who participated in a strike, while granting it to replacement workers, in a blatant effort to create divisions among the staff.

It has been stated that the decision is expected to impact the earnings of approximately 20,000 individuals who belong to RMT. However, Novara Media has uncovered that this action will also have consequences for numerous members of TSSA, who are part of the transportation staff.

In December of last year, the TSSA and the Unite union concluded their involvement in the nationwide rail conflict after approving a salary proposal from Network Rail. By March of this year, the RMT settled their extended dispute with Network Rail and achieved a wage increase of 9% spread across the span of two years.

However, Network Rail has recently announced that the Performance Related Pay (PRP) bonus will exclusively be granted to individuals who demonstrated their commitment to the rail sector by actively participating and maintaining a favorable attendance record throughout the industrial dispute.

Employees at Network Rail are deeply discontented with the recent choice made by the company, particularly because Network Rail failed to provide Performance Related Pay (PRP) for the period spanning from 2021 to 2022. This is especially disheartening for the employees, as they were recognized as "essential workers" amidst the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Chris Rylah, a representative from TSSA, expressed his deep worries to Novara Media regarding the adverse treatment of TSSA members due to their participation in lawful industrial action. Network Rail's choice to penalize these workers is truly disheartening, as it directly targets individuals who rightfully fought for fair wages and job stability.

The actions of the company hold no validity, especially since they are implementing this decision for 2021/22 despite the absence of any labor strikes.

"Our alliance is contesting this determination and have informed Network Rail that it will not be permitted to remain."

In a message delivered to TSSA individuals via email, the union stated that it is unfounded and unfair to purposefully put our members at a disadvantage.

In a message sent out to RMT members via email, Mick Lynch, the general secretary, expressed his disapproval of the choice to not include trade union members in the bonus program. This exclusion is considered shameful and has understandably raised concerns among the members.

Network Rail's perspective undeniably imposes punishment and bias towards individuals who exercise their fundamental freedom to join together and engage in legitimate labor union pursuits. Nevertheless, legal safeguards solely safeguard individuals who are unjustly terminated for partaking in officially declared lawful strikes or other industrial endeavors.

Since the bonus plan is not obligatory and is based on the employer's discretion, their choice to exclude RMT members is unfair and clearly aimed at creating division among employees and weakening the power of your union. It is an obvious strategy to reward those who did not support fellow union members during the crucial strike.

Eddie Dempsey, the assistant general secretary of the RMT, stated to Novara Media that the union has been pushing for the elimination of PRP for a considerable time: "Its purpose is to create division among individuals, and we advocate for its removal precisely for that purpose. We have always been aware that it is a tactic employed to exploit our vulnerabilities during conflicts."

As the RMT gets ready for another set of pay talks with Network Rail for 2024, Dempsey expressed that this choice was an instance of "union undermining" and "a broader attempt to weaken backing for the union, by asserting 'the union caused you to lose this money, you could have had more money yet the union messed it up'."

Notwithstanding this endeavor, Dempsey expressed that Network Rail's choice had just stirred up resentment among the government organization. "They've simply conveyed to their employees, 'we don't appreciate you and we don't believe that you've added to the efficiency of the railroads,' even though individuals have been working tirelessly throughout the COVID pandemic."

"When we return to the bargaining session, we will directly convey the frustration of our constituents to these individuals."

A representative from Network Rail stated that giving out PRP served as a means of acknowledging colleagues for their efforts in meeting the company's performance objectives.

We have made it perfectly clear to both our trade unions and our employees that the expenses related to going on strike would have a direct effect on the PRP program. We have clearly communicated our stance - any additional payments would be given to those individuals who remained dedicated to maintaining rail services despite the industrial action.

The latest report on the compensation of Network Rail directors shows that CEO Andrew Haines chose not to receive his bonus based on performance this year. It's possible that, with his income being the second highest among public sector workers at £590,000, Haines believed he had already received an adequate amount.

Nevertheless, Jeremy Westlake, the CFO of Network Rail, has chosen to receive an additional £18,777 as a performance-based compensation, in addition to his annual salary of £373,000.

As per Violation Tracker, a platform that records the punitive measures taken by government agencies, Network Rail has disbursed an amount exceeding £24 million as a consequence of their unethical behavior from 2010 onwards.

Polly Smythe holds the position of Novara Media's reporter specialized in the labor movement.