London Underground Ltd

On the news that an engineering train was derailed on the Central Line this morning, largest rail union RMT's General Secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT officials are seeking to obtain further information on the serious derailment on the Central Line last night. While the union seeks to establish the facts the incident once again throws under the spotlight the ever present issue of safety on the Underground for both staff and passengers alike."

RMT on BTP conference on violence on transport services:

General Secretary Mick Cash said.

"‎The public should be under no illusions. The whole object of policy on our transport services at the moment is to axe staff and that gives a green light to thugs, drunks and racists to indulge in their violent, abusive and anti-social behaviour.

"From chopping guards off the trains, to closing ticket offices on London Underground to cutting staff on stations and platforms the whole austerity and profit driven agenda is turning our transport system into a thugs and criminals paradise.

TUBE UNION RMT today warned Londoners that this mornings disruption arising from signalling breakdowns and train failures on the Piccadilly, Bakerloo and Jubilee lines are a reminder of the serious challenges that face the overstretched tube infrastructure and fleet – challenges that are set to be deepened by the planned night running service due to be introduced later this year.

Management are still pushing to introduced a new procedure for when a rear M door alarm activates – proceeding to the next station rather than investigating first.

We believe this is unsafe for a number of reasons. It is also an example of management’s attempts to dumb down our job by taking away the need for a train operator.

REVIEW OF DISCIPLINARY AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/4) Further to my previous Circular (IR/432/13, 25th July 2013), this matter has been listed on the LUL Company Council agenda where we raised the issue that having the same PMA present at a CDI and any associated appeal created an unfair bias in the process. The involvement of PMAs in the disciplinary process has been disputed by RMT for some years now as we see it as an additional management resource.

RMT demands end to staff cuts as new figures show continuing increases in race hate crimes on our railways

RAIL UNION RMT today demanded an end to staffing cuts as new figures obtained by the Press Association reveal that the number of suspected race hate crimes taking place on the railways continues to rise with four reported to police every day last year.

RAINBOW ATTENDANCE POLICY – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/5/9)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/120/13, 21st February 2013), the Attendance, Performance and Conduct (APC) working group met to discuss this matter where RMT confirmed that we remain opposed to this policy and LUL’s use and abuse of its attendance policy more generally. The following resolution has recently been received from our Piccadilly & District West Branch in respect of this matter:-

Pay negotiations update from RMT Regional Organiser John Leach.

This afternoon I attended talks with RMT senior functional reps and Directors of LUL.

Members will know that the company so far have offered a two year pay deal 2015 ..0.50% and 2016 RPI and two one off payments of £250 for night tube.

At todays meeting the company have marginally revised the offer to:

2015...0.75%(1/4 %increase)
2016 ..RPI

So over the two years the offer has been moved by a mere 0.25%!

DISMISSAL – PETRIT MIHAJ, SODEXO (LUL/4/4)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/332/14, 15th December 2014), Branches will be aware of the on-going campaign against Brother Mihaj’s dismissal from Sodexo. A meeting took place with the Senior Assistant General Secretary, the Lead Officer, LTRC and Branch Officers to discuss the issue and the following resolution has recently been received from the London Transport Regional Council:-

London Underground cleaning contractor ISS are trying to renege on the commitments they made at acas last year regarding the use of biometric bookin on systems. Although the RMT never agreed the use of biometric booking on, Iss gave the RMT assurances as they pushed ahead with it's implementation regardless of the opposition from their workers . We are demanding the company stick to their assurances on this matter . The RMT is prepared to enter a dispute if necesary - the union will also go to ACAS to resolve this issue.

ISS Renege On Biometric Use