Romec dispute – talks break down

[johnnyp]

http://www.cwu.org/news.asp?step=3&NID=2139
NewsRomec dispute – talks break down

14 October 2008

Talks between the Communication Workers Union and Romec at ACAS broke down this morning (Tuesday) which means that an industrial action ban on standby and callouts is back in place from 4pm Wednesday 15th October.



Progress was made during talks over the weekend regarding changes to attendance patterns and travel times, but Romec unexpectedly called off the talks this morning. Talks were made more difficult by Romec bringing a number of new issues to the table. Despite the progress an acceptable final agreement has not been reached.



Romec has advised CWU that it intends to impose unagreed attendance patterns and travel times from Wednesday 15th October.



The CWU advice is:



members should continue to work their normal attendance pattern and travel to work arrangement
standby/callout ban is back in place from 4pm Wednesday 15th October until 7am Tuesday 28th October


Ray Ellis, CWU national official, said: “It is very disappointing that it did not prove possible to reach an agreement by negotiation. The CWU negotiating team explored every avenue in an attempt to reach a fair settlement and we remain willing to resume talks at any time.



“However, following the breakdown of talks the only option open is to resume industrial action. We will stand firm for a fair settlement for Romec workers.”