ASLEF: ‘No hope of progress with ‘provocative’ MML

23 Oct 2007

Industrial action in Midland Mainline on Thursday now appears inevitable as train drivers’ union ASLEF abandoned its attempts to kick-start negotiations.

‘We are willing to talk to anyone at anytime – so long as there is a hope of progress,’ said General Secretary Keith Norman. ‘The company has, however, made it clear - both verbally and in writing – that it is not interested in a solution.

‘We have made proposals while management has made accusations.

‘Instead of organising for the effects of a strike, the company should be making efforts to resolve its staff’s grievances.

‘It is ludicrous of them to attempt to ignore a union ballot that showed a 86.9% majority in favour of industrial action.’

Keith confirmed that the union was prepared to meet the company today if there was a possibility of resolving the dispute.

The problem centres around pensions – the union says that past agreements to make pay rises count towards pensions have not been honoured by the company – and that it is seriously eroding the value of its members’ pensions.