RMT union leaders are branded 'hypocritical' as they try to slash jobs

RMT union leaders are branded ‘hypocritical’ as they try to slash jobs and pay among their own staff

• Union faces revolt from catering and office staff at its National Education Centre

RMT union leaders were branded ‘hypocritical’ yesterday for trying to slash jobs and pay among their own workers.

The Daily Mail can reveal the strike-backing rail union is facing a revolt from catering and office staff at its National Education Centre in Doncaster.

The row is over proposed job cuts and reducing allowances, such as for travel to work, which means some staff face a real-terms pay cut.

Affected staff, represented by the GMB union, are threatening to go on strike.

In extraordinary comments showing how bitter the union vs union spat is, the GMB last night said: ‘Members working at RMT are standing up for their rights.’ 

The row is over proposed job cuts and reducing allowances, such as for travel to work, which means some staff face a real-terms pay cut (file image)

Secretary-general Mick Lynch (pictured) has repeatedly accused industry bosses and ministers of wanting ‘to rip up our members’ conditions in order to save money’

The RMT has called more than 20 national rail strikes since June last year in a row over pay. It also claims job losses, below-inflation pay rises and plans for efficiency savings are unacceptable.

The Daily Mail can reveal the strike-backing rail union is facing a revolt from catering and office staff at its National Education Centre in Doncaster (pictured)

Secretary-general Mick Lynch has repeatedly accused industry bosses and ministers of wanting ‘to rip up our members’ conditions in order to save money’.

But Tory MP Greg Smith said: ‘This is highly hypocritical. It is surely a wake-up call to the RMT about how life works in the real world. 

‘Whilst they are demanding ministers pay their members higher wages, their own staff are being looked at through a real-world lens.

‘This might wake them up to the realities of their eye-watering pay demands.’ 

This week GMB and RMT negotiators will get around the table.

It is understood the dispute over proposed job losses may have been resolved and the talks will revolve mainly around allowances. 

But Tory MP Greg Smith (pictured) said: ‘This is highly hypocritical. It is surely a wake-up call to the RMT about how life works in the real world’

The National Education Centre is where members learn about being workplace reps and help with the running of the union.

Last month the RMT sparked fury by targeting the busy start of the school holidays with strikes.

Around 20,000 members at 14 train companies covering most of England will walk out on July 20, 22 and 29. 

The union struck a pay deal with Network Rail in March but a separate dispute with the train operators is unresolved.

Another dispute with train drivers’ union Aslef continues today with the start of an overtime ban for six days running in England.

An RMT spokesman acknowledged the dispute but claimed there will be ‘no job cuts or pay cuts’ at the education centre.

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