30 March 2005

Union rejects Subway peace deal

Representatives from the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU) today (Wednesday) rejected an improved pay and conditions deal, worth nearly 8 per cent over two years. The offer was put to them by Strathclyde Passenger Transport in a bid to end the Subway dispute that brought Monday misery to thousands of commuters during January and February.

Under the offer Subway staff would have received a 2.95 per cent pay rise from 1 April 2004 and a further 4.95 per cent rise from 1 April 2005 in return for improvements in productivity and flexibility.

After rejecting the pay deal the TGWU informed SPT that its members would start an indefinite series of one day stoppages on Thursday 7 April 2005 and every Thursday after that until their expectations are met.

Douglas Ferguson, SPT's Director of Operations, said, “It's very disappointing that the TGWU has rejected this offer. We have to work within the framework laid down by the Scottish Executive's Efficient Government agenda, which applies across the entire public sector. In this context we cannot afford to increase wages without seeing matching improvements in productivity and flexibility from staff.

“For the TGWU this was a one off opportunity to deliver a significant increase for their members. It will become impossible to match this offer or better it as the financial consequences of any industrial action will come out of the available money for any eventual wage settlement.

“We will do everything in our power to minimise the disruption to passengers. Subject to addressing the technical issues we are suspending the fare increases planned to come into effect on 1 April 2005 for the duration of the strike action.

“In the meantime we will continue to try and find a resolution to the dispute and our door remains open for further discussions.”

ends