Further to my previous Circular (IR/061/15, 2nd March 2015), the Company has been informed that a dispute situation now exists over the proposed changes to the Services organisation as part of the GTS Optimisation Programme. The proposals include compulsory redundancies and those members left at the Company will be facing worse rosters, shift patterns and terms and conditions. RMT put forward strong counter-proposals during discussions but it is clear that the Company has no intention of changing their plans.

The ballot voting papers will be posted out to members on Wednesday 18th March and the closing date for this ballot is Tuesday 31st March 2015. I urge all members to vote ‘YES’ for strike action and ‘YES’ for industrial action short of a strike to fight against these attacks.

I will keep you informed of all further developments.