When ASLEF suspended our industrial action this week, we told our members that this was on the basis of a ground breaking new offer. We have been clear throughout the negotiations that we needed an agreement that recognised the unique role of train drivers and that our working hours had fallen behind those of our colleagues on the Elizabeth line and London Overground.
This afternoon we have shared that offer with your local reps. It is an agreement with London Underground that by January 2025 they “will set out a proposal for delivering an average four day working week with a paid meal relief included in working hours which means fewer hours at work, whilst improving the reliability and efficiency of our services and maintaining the current 35-hour contractual working week”. You can see managements letter to ASLEF here and a copy of the letter covering the general offer here.
For train drivers this means a two-and-a-half-hour reduction in the working week. For the first time ever, this delivers a genuine 35-hour week.
The reduction in working hours makes a real 4-day week possible. In every 4 week pay period, you will be working 10 hours and 4 days fewer. This also means an increase in the hourly rate of pay. If you were to take away the one hour we "bank up" and the half hour meal relief now not worked on the fifth day, this equates to 3.5 fewer hours at work every week (14 hours per pay period).
Between now and January we will negotiate the detailed changes needed to agreements to reflect the move towards a 4-day week with a paid meal relief. Local reps will be fully involved as draft roster and duty sheets are produced for consultation.
Previous trails of a 4-day week were based on an unchanged working week meaning many longer shifts. But paid meal reliefs giving a reduction of at least two and a half hours per week means that much better rosters can be produced.
This is a genuinely groundbreaking agreement. ASLEF have been arguing for the return of paid meal reliefs since 1992. We have been calling for a 4-day week for decades. Your YES vote and readiness to take action along with the tenacity of your negotiating team made sure that train drivers were not ignored in this pay round demonstrating once again the importance of a dedicated professional train drivers union.
If you are not already a member, you can join ASLEF today on the link below and play a part in achieving this major improvment in you conditions at work. Full reports will be given at your local ASLEF branch meetings.
Finn Brennan
ASLEF District Organiser.
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