London Underground Ltd

We note the report from our Trains Council representatives, and note the following issues regarding
London Underground’s new S stock:

• the inadequate time allowance for the drivers’ train preparation
• cross-line working by C&H drivers on the Metropolitan line under the new timetable to be introduced in May
• the removal of train maintenance at Hammersmith depot and the impact of this on train movement
• the length of time between drivers being trained and actually driving the new trains
• the absence of Defective In Service Instructions (DISI) for the S stock

We note the correspondence from London Underground Ltd, and additionally the report from our representative and from our Regional Organiser.

We are appalled that LUL is attempting to circumvent our agreed machinery of negotiation through its ‘Engagement’ meetings. We believe that this will not encourage a more constructive working relationship and involvement as the company claims, but will reduce trust and remove important issues from our agreed, transparent and formal process.

We endorse the General Secretary’s instruction to our representatives not to attend these meetings.

London Underground’s latest proposal to resolve the Bakerloo detrainment dispute has not been
accepted by RMT or Aslef. Their ‘Updated Detrainment Briefing’ being issued to drivers does not settle our dispute. This latest version of ‘flash and dash’ has not been properly negotiated with your union. If a driver detrained using this method of shutting the doors and walking down the train looking in windows and overcarried there would be formal action taken against them.

Here is the latest edition of Morden & Oval branch news.

In the newsletter are stories including:

• How to: Official annual leave requests
• Level 1 process explained
• Young Member’s Resolution on a shadowing scheme
• STOP Boris! Save Clapham’s Fire Station
• and more

  Morden & Oval branch is also on Twitter here and on Facebook here.

A lot of the admin on London Underground are being asked to take notes at Company Disciplinary Interviews. We have been informed by the MATS reps that this is voluntary and in no way can you be made to do this. The company is looking for a team of forty five volunteers to take the minutes at CDIs.

The company want to reap the benefits of the Admin Grade Review which they dumped because they didn't want to financially reward staff for going above and beyond their role. Some people are being told by their Centurions that they have to take part in this fiasco, you
don’t!

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that tube drivers on the Jubilee Line, working out of the Stratford and Greenwich depots, are to be balloted for industrial action in a dispute over bullying of staff through the misuse of procedures and an appalling decline in the standard of working conditions.

In a letter to London Underground setting out the reasons for the dispute, RMT has highlighted:

• The unfair and disproportionate treatment of Drivers in disciplinaries
• Many facilities on the Jubilee line being in a very poor and in some cases a “disgusting” state
  

London Underground, Tubelines and Schweerbau GMBH have been fined £300,000 having plead guilty in court to endangering safety following the 2010 runaway train incident.

The incident occurred when a defective maintenance train was being towed. The trains became separated and the defective wagon rolled through seven stations of speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, coming within 600m of a passenger train. The quick response of control room staff prevented what judge Richard Hone told the court: “was the potential of terrible tragedy.”

Download or view the newsletter below

Mike Brown Confirms LU to attack Stations Jobs

On February 18th Our General Secretary Bob Crow met with Mike Brown to discuss the future of Jobs on the combine. LU are pressing ahead with plans to remove night-turn supervisors and gave no assurances about the grade of staff left to run the stations through the traffic day.

We must insist that 24 hour coverage of our stations by supervisors is maintained to guarantee’ safety and
that correct procedures are followed by companies in Engineering hours.

We note the report of the well-attended meeting of our London Underground / Tube Lines ISS representatives on 20 February 2013.

The meeting identified several attacks on working conditions in addition to pay issues:

• ‘Bradford Factor’ attendance rules
• new rostering, extending the unpaid break in the middle of the shift from 30 minutes to 45, 60 or even 75 minutes
• biometric booking on, including for agency staff

We note the resolution from our Jubilee South branch, and the numerous problems being caused by management at North Greenwich and Stratford depots. Following thorough discussion with our representatives and in line with their expressed views, we instruct the General Secretary to ballot our train driver members at Stratford and North Greenwich depots for strike action, to a timescale that will enable co-ordinated action with ASLEF. A personal letter is to be sent to all members being balloted, strongly urging them to vote Yes.