Network Rail are facing what may turn out to be the largest equal pay claim in the company’s history.
This claim comes as an additional blow after the company were found to have missed punctuality targets and amid protests about bonuses for senior male staff topping £1million.
30 female employees are involved in the claim against Network rail brought by the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA). If the claim is successful, it may include up to 3,000 women.
Claims by the TSSA state that the women involved are being paid between £3,000 and £4,000 less per year than their male colleagues for the same job.
Network Rail Directors received bonuses of roughly £50,000 each last year. These bonuses were paid to five directors, two of whom have left the company to pursue other things. Three of these directors however, also received £300,000 in retention bonuses paid in April on top of their annual bonus.
A protest is planned by the TSSA’s union for outsideNetwork Rail’s annual meeting on Friday - this is part of the campaign against the directors bonuses.
Network Rail made an announcement this year that long-term bonus schemes (worth up to 100 per cent of salary) would come to an end. It is speculated that this is in response to public outrage about the huge bonuses.
TSSA, Assistant General Secretary said:
“It is simply outrageous that a taxpayer-funded company should reward those at the top with huge amounts while at the same time discriminating against thousands of their own staff who happen to be women.”
In a statement Network Rail said that they are;
“committed to equal opportunities and fairness and equity in its pay. We are working hard, in partnership with our trade unions, to address any legacy imbalances within our pay structure. Those discussions continue. No one at Network Rail received a bonus for train performance this year as our targets were not reached.”
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