Branches will recall that during our dispute over the introduction of three carriage running, an agreement was reached at ACAS that the company would enter into consultation over the implementation of revised walking times and revised spread over times.

Management now believe that this agreement gives them the automatic right to impose these changes without further discussion. Therefore we have advised the company that we are in dispute and are now balloting members for strike action and action short of a strike. Ballot papers go out on Tuesday 12th October with a return date of Monday 25th October 2010. I urge all members to vote ‘YES for Strike Actions and ‘YES’ for action short of a strike. Please make your members aware of the situation.