Settlement puts career progression back on rails

The RMT rail union has reached a settlement in a long-running dispute with Network Rail over career progression at the West of Scotland signalling centre, following a campaign of industrial action that started last Christmas.

At issue was management’s refusal to adhere to a long standing local arrangement where, when a “resident” post becomes vacant, the senior General Purpose Relief (GPR) is slotted into that position.

This custom and practice arrangement had been in place for over three decades, RMT pointed out, offering genuine career progression opportunities, until management suddenly refused to apply it.

A form of words has now been agreed that resolve the dispute.