Blogs

Buses are now free to all, all RCIs are deemed unnecessary and furloughed...But Cleaners on the tube still have to pay to get to work.

That’s the message from TFL/LUL management. When we challenged them at the MDs weekly conference call we were told it was a tough choice but unaffordable. The letter from TFL/LUL can be downloaded below.

RMT cannot think of much that is more important right now than the heroic role of our cleaners.

They are doing the most valuable and dangerous work of all on the tube network during this pandemic.

The NEC has this evening taken a decision to go into dispute with LUL over the imposition of rosters for train operators. Our reps and RO have managed to convince LUL to delay the actual working of the rosters for a week but the company still wants to assert that they are imposed from this Sunday. From Sunday 3/5/20 LUL expects our Train Operators to book on for the new duties.

Working to these imposed rosters would make social distancing impossible to guarantee.

The full decision can be downloaded here.

Please download and distribute this new bulletin for the LT region.

« Directors tell us no-one in vulnerable category will be forced to come to work

« There is no plan at present to ramp up the service towards BAU

« But ridiculous advice from LUOH breaks Social Distancing guidance

« And CAP tries to abolish right to refuse unsafe work

The advice from your union is clear. Follow the advice of Public Health England. Maintain social distancing.

Please download and distribute the newsletter

« LUL must reduce usage now

« Government must shut down construction sites and guarantee pay of all self-employed/Gig economy workers

« Agreed enhanced cleaning plans must be put into action now

« Station staff must be told to work behind glass and only work in public areas when essential for safety reasons

The government is to nationalise the losses that TOCs are making due to the Coronavirus but will continue to pay the private shareholders a management fee.

Full article from FT can be downloaded here.

RMT will be demanding full nationalisation of the assets as well as the losses. The privatised rail industry has bled the state dry for years. Now, in this time of crisis, it has to stop.

A discussion between RMT IR and H&S staff side secretaries/leads took place this morning. Following this meeting the NEC discussed LUL's current 4-Year pay offer. The NEC has instructed the General Secretary to inform LUL that we accept the offer. London Underground has repeated that they remain committed to reviewing working hours and we will return to this issue ASAP.

ABM Cleaners Victory

Winning sick pay at the full shift rate for ABM cleaners isolating or sick with Covid 19 is an important safeguard for those members and for everyone working on our tube network. But there are other sub-contractors and self-employed workers working on the tube network and they need the same protection.

When RMT met LUL directors on 16/3/20 we put a number of demands to them. This included the need for sick pay for cleaners but also many other points.

The NEC has taken the decision to ballot all LUL members over pay & conditions.

We will not accept an either/or offer that asks us to chose between protecting our pay or addressing fatigue and working hours.

Please circulate this new leaflet. There are printed copies available at Unity House from Thursday 5 March. Please ensure every workplace has copies in the mess rooms and on notice boards.