As national news hits that RMT members across the nation have voted to take strike action over the summer in relation to pay increases, Island Line was the only balloted firm to that did not meet the legal threshold for industrial action.
RMT members at 15 rail companies were balloted. Thirteen came back supporting strike action. GTR voted for action short of a strike, but some workers at Island Line refused to support industrial action, with not enough votes in favour to ensure strike action.
Of the 31 eligible members, ten voted in favour of strike action, seven against and one vote was spoiled.
Three more votes needed for strike action
Geoff Kite, the Wessex Regional Organiser, told News on the Wight that 13 votes in favour were needed to meet the legal threshold.
He said,
“The ballot on the Island Line was unsuccessful because of the anti trade union laws, the ballot required at least 50 per cent of those balloted to vote and of those at least 40 per cent must vote yes to industrial action.
“Unfortunately although our members voted yes by majority we didn’t achieve the 40 per cent threshold to make it a legal ballot.”
Biggest strike for 25 years
After two years of pay freezes, the union is calling a pay rise above RPI inflation.
The strike across 13 rail companies has been branded the biggest in more than 25 years.
Source: Daily Mirror
