RMT received a letter from Howard Collins (Chief Operating Officer) late on Friday 14th of December afternoon indicating that the Boxing Day proposals selling train drivers annual leave has been withdrawn (see the attachment). This is an important development for all drivers and the RMT’s campaign to defend our annual leave arrangements. The RMT’s decision to enter into a dispute and to hold a ballot for industrial action has been enough to overturn this proposal.

The letter states categorically that the proposals to sell annual leave came from ASLEF. The letter is headed “ASLEF BOXING DAY WORKING PROPOSAL” and goes on to explain how this proposal came from that organisation.

It is clear from the letter that it was ASLEF who wanted to sell our members leave. Following the ASLEF wholesale attempt to breach framework agreements during the Olympics and Paralympics during the summer, if any tube worker was in doubt that ASLEF cannot be trusted one inch with drivers terms and conditions then these Boxing Day proposals show once and for all that it is only the RMT who will safeguard train drivers terms and conditions.

RMT trains functional council reps will be meeting our Regional Organiser, Brian Whitehead, on Monday 17th of December to discuss the next steps. ASLEF and LU are having more meetings to discuss Boxing Day arrangements and the union has to be vigilant of the possibilities that they might cobble together proposals unacceptable to this union.

Please remember to get your ballot paper in the post and vote YES to both questions. If you have not received your ballot paper please call 0800 376 3706. Ballot papers must be returned by Wednesday 19th of December.