Harmonisation talks end

Drivers' Harmonisation discussions with London Midland were brought to a close yesterday, as unfortunately we could not develop any basis for further discussion or agreement.

During the course of the talks a number of 'diagramming options' were developed, these options included; (along with a number of Company aspirations), Staff Side items such as a reduction in the working week, reducing the maximum working day and improved PNB parameters.
Though some encouraging results (which had little or no impact upon actual diagram numbers) were forthcoming, London Midland sought to underwrite the implementation of the four day week in the former Silverlink portion of the business along with the cost of any harmonised leave and salary through diagramming "efficiencies". This meant that improvements to diagrams sought by Staff Side were not contained within the final discussion paper produced by the Company.
We do not accept that harmonisation should be funded through the significant worsening of any LM Drivers' Terms and Conditions.
Our position remains that; along with harmonised salary and leave we would expect to see significant improvement to the Terms & Conditions that impact upon our daily lives, such as: PNB and maximum driving limitations.
Harmonisation should not be based on the aspirations of management to deliver on a cost neutral basis; London Midland have to accept that the principle of treating all their staff fairly and equitably is a cost that they should bear!
A report will now be submitted for consideration by the ASLEF Executive Committee and we will, of course keep you informed of developments.