Network Rail withholds annual bonuses from staff who went on strike
Network Rail staff who took part in strike action during a pay dispute will not receive an annual bonus, sparking anger from trade union leaders.
The publicly-owned firm, which owns and manages Britain’s trains and railway network, faced a series of walkouts over pay between June 2022 and March this year – when RMT members voted to accept a deal that saw pay rise by a minimum of 9 per cent, and up to 14 per cent for the lowest-paid workers.
But employees who took part in the legal strike action have been informed that they will not be paid an annual bonus this year, Fortune first reported on Tuesday.
Those who stayed at work will still receive the discretionary bonus, which previously amounted to around £1,000 a year but this year is likely to be worth around £300 each given the company’s financial situation.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We have been crystal clear with both our trade unions and our employees that the cost of strike action would directly impact the PRP [performance related pay] scheme.
“Our position was made very clear – any discretionary payments would focus on those who continued to support rail services during industrial action.”
But RMT chief Mick said the “bad faith” decision to exclude those who went on strike was targeting trade unionists and “causing significant consternation among members”.
He said the decision was a “transparent attempt to divide the workforce… by specifically rewarding those who refused to stand in solidarity with union members taking essential strike action.”
The bonus scheme is discretionary, and not a contractual obligation, meaning it is up to Network Rail to decide how to reward workers and there is little recourse for those denied it.
Mr Lynch added: “It is clear that the stance adopted by Network Rail both penalises and discriminates against members for exercising their human right to associate and to participate in lawful trade union activities.”
While Network Rail workers are not currently on strike, disputes are still raging between the RMT and 14 train operating companies, leading to ongoing chaos on the railways – with fresh walkouts this weekend.
Network Rail was expected to be wound up and replaced by a new public body called Great British Railways next year, under an overhaul that would see the new unified body take on functions from the Rail Delivery Group and Department for Transport. However, the reforms have faced numerous delays.
