Includes London Underground staff of all grades on the Bakerloo Line, plus the Special Requirements Team (SRT) and hotel staff. Branch meetings are held at The Royal Exchange PH, 26 Sale Place, Paddington, W2. (map)
It’s an emotive word and one which used in the workplace has even led to disciplinary action. Nevertheless, it is an important part of the lexicon of picketers and very effective when used properly!
So what are “scabs” and what motivates them?
Click '1 attachment' / file name to download. Read the text below.
There has been a tidal wave of media coverage of the 48 hour strike on TfL and LUL. Although that coverage is a reflection of just how successful the RMT action has been, it has also led to some incredible exaggeration, blatant political interference and in some cases sheer, barefaced lies.
The “Big Lie”
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow sent the following message to all union members:
"Dear Colleague,
A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY
THE TRUTH (AND IF NOT SUE US FOR LIBEL)
This is my 31st year as a member of this Union and a worker on London Underground and in all that time I have never experienced such dishonesty from any management that I have dealt with. Let me explain to you what really happened at the talks.
The Facts
Click '1 attachment' / file name to donwload this as a single-side RMT bulletin
RMT spent ten hours in talks with London Underground management yesterday (Monday 8 June). We made many proposals and offered many opportunities for management to settle our dispute with them, but sadly, at the end of a long day all London Underground offered was more talks.
We understand that LUL management are claiming that the cases of two sacked Victoria Line drivers are the only outstanding issues in this dispute.
That is straightforwardly untrue.
If LUL were to reinstate these drivers, it may help resolve the separate dispute on the Victoria Line, but the dispute involving all our members on London Underground is about jobs, pay and justice for all workers, and since management offered nothing at yesterday's talks, all these issues remain unresolved.
Was any one else extremely vexed at the content of our new MD's letter, not only does the tosser use public money to send out individual letters to all LU staff but he also has the cheek to slag off this Unions integrity and does this by spouting loads of lies.
Click on the attachment to download the June Branch newsletter.
Following the suspension of safety reps (Jim Harrington and Clive Steadman's) email facilities on London Underground, the Stations & Revenue Safety Council has produced an open letter to all Health & Safety reps. Please click on the attachment to download a copy.
Drivers on the Bakerloo Line are shocked and angry at management's sacking of Kevin Dobinson. Kevin was summarily dismissed last Thursday.