Attendance and discipline

Strike action ballots return strong yes votes from ISS cleaners, drivers on the Piccadilly and sub surface depots, and maintenance workers on TfL contract with Mitie

RMT today confirmed a ballot for strike action of Train Operators and Instructor Operators on the Piccadilly Line, in response to London Underground riding roughshod over agreements and abusing a range of agreed policies and procedures, has shown a massive nine to one vote in favour.

We note the report from our lead officer, and welcome the progress made at ACAS talks.

Accordingly, we instruct the General Secretary to suspend our strike action beginning at 00:01 on Tuesday 2 April.

A report is to be placed in front of us as to whether the dispute is fully resolved within time to allow strike action to be called should it not be resolved.

The RMT today congratulated members on their determination to challenge the problems at North Greenwich and Stratford depots. Members voted by 85.7% for industrial action.

In line with the strike action called by ASLEF, RMT members are to take strike action by not booking on for duties commencing between:

• 00:01 and 23:59 on 2nd April 2013
• 00:01 and 23:59 on 2nd May 2013

Jubilee Line drivers are striking in a dispute over bullying of staff through the misuse of procedures and an appalling decline in the standard of working conditions.

We note the correspondence from London Underground Ltd, and that talks about this dispute are scheduled to take place under the auspices of ACAS on Wednesday 27 March.

London Transport Regional Council and branches to be advised.

• More on this story
  • Jubilee Line Tube Drivers In Strike Vote Over Bullying And Working Conditions
  • Management Action On Jubilee Line Leads To Ballot For Joint Union Strike
    

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Further to my Circular No IR/131/13 dated the 25th February 2013 with regards to the above matter and where I informed you of the important court ruling on annual leave under the Working Time Regulations. As you may recall, I again wrote to London Underground raising our concerns over their decision not to update or publish company policies to reflect the changes to case law.

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
  

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.

We note the report on file regarding the outcome of the member’s case, and that this is now closed to the member’s satisfaction.

We continue to be very concerned, however, with the role played by the People Management Advice specialist (PMA). The email obtained under FOI shows clearly that the PMA took a decision beyond her authority, and LUL management even admit that it ‘looks’ like this, but ludicrously claim that a verbal assurance from the manager refutes this.

Here is the latest edition on the Finsbury Park branch newsletter.

In this edition:

• Protect your job, play it safe
• Boxing not so clever
• X-ray specs, anyone?
• Hardship fund - what's it about?
• Stiched up after helping out
• Victoria Line drivers survey

  You may be able to view the newsletter below, otherwise use the 'attachments' link to download it