Rail firm chiefs defer bonus payouts

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The four executive directors had sparked a furious reaction when it was revealed they were taking huge bonuses while deferring those of 119 staff who had worked in the area of the February crash near Grayrigg.

Despite the change of heart, the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced it will hold a ballot for industrial action among the workers. The ballot will also cover 400 Scottish signallers and supervisors whose £400 bonuses were cut to £100 because they took part in a strike earlier this year.

A few hours after the figures were announced, NR said the four executive directors were also deferring the annual part of their own bonuses.

Despite not meeting some targets and having 15% of his bonus "docked" due to the Grayrigg crash, chief executive John Armitt was still in line for a total bonus package of more than £200,000. This includes an annual bonus of £88,740 which is now deferred.

His deputy chief executive, Iain Coucher, got a total package of more than £179,000, including a now-deferred annual bonus of £79,220.

The other two executive directors - finance director Ron Henderson and engineering director Peter Henderson - got total packages worth £133,937, including now-deferred annual bonuses of £59,057 each.

The RMT executive agreed that a ballot of both groups of workers will be concluded on June 25, and the union warned that failure to settle the dispute would result in a ballot of all Network Rail infrastructure and signalling staff.

General secretary Bob Crow said: "It seems that our strike threat has shamed Network Rail bosses into suspending part of their own massive bonus payments. But the fact remains that 119 of our members working in the Grayrigg area have been effectively scapegoated by the corporate decision-makers of Network Rail, and that is unacceptable.

"If there is to be any disciplinary or criminal process as a result of the investigation that should be allowed to take its course, but in the meanwhile we expect to see all our members paid their bonus."