The ballot of signalling and other operational staff follows the rejection of a pay-and-conditions offer that holds the prospect of a real-terms cut in living standards.

"We told the company quite clearly that the second-year element of their pay offer to operational staff, of RPI plus 0.5 per cent, would not protect our members against costs that are rising way ahead of the official inflation rate," Bob Crow said.

If the Retail Price Index is so clearly behind 'real' inflation, doesn't it benefit employers? They can offer 'inflation-busting' pay deals to their employees, and appear in a good light for doing so, while actually slowly impoverishing their workers. Who controls or defines the RPI, and why is it so out of whack?

Member of the Anti-Fabulousness League since 1987.