RMT official circulars

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

I wrote to you last week concerning our dispute with ISS over their planned introduction of Fingerprinting technology to book on for duty. We see this technology as an invasion of your civil liberties and a threat to your jobs. It now appears that management are planning to impose this new Biometric fingerprinting process from early March 2014 so your union’s executive has considered this matter further and decided to call a ballot of all members for strike action. Preparations are under way to hold this ballot in the near future.

Further to my previous correspondence, I would like to congratulate you for supporting your union and taking industrial action, in defence of your pension. This attack on your pension is clearly intolerable and represents the future strategy of TfL management and is a threat to all members in the pension fund regardless of company or grade.

In order to put pressure on the company your Executive committee after consulting with your representatives has decided to call the following industrial action:-

This action is suspended - more detail here.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow>

EVERY JOB MATTERS - DEFENDING JOBS ON LONDON UNDERGROUND

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

As every LUL member must now be aware London Underground has announced the closure of ALL ticket offices by as early as 2015 and the subsequent loss of 750 jobs. Despite this Government’s and the Mayor of London’s claim they wish more use of public transport they are cutting LU’s budget by £33m for 2013-14, and £45m for 2014-15. And this despite January’s 4.2% increase in fares across the tube, buses and trams.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Huber Ballesteros is a high-profile Colombian trade union leader. He sits on the Executive Committee of Central Unitaria de Trabajdores de Colombia (CUT is Colombia's largest trade union federation) as well as being Vice President of FENSUAGRO Agricultural Workers' Union.

In an attempt to intimidate him into silence and inactivity, Huber was recently arrested and remains in detention. He must be promptly released, though even when that does occur, he – together with his family and his fellow trade unionists – will remain in danger.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Concerns have been raised with the union by our representatives that members are not automatically allowed representation at Occupational Health Appointments. This case has been considered by the General Grades Committee and our Lead Officers have been gathering up to date information from the companies with which we have recognition.

The General Grades Committee have noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

I refer to my previous Circular NP/205/13, 5th August 2013, please be advised that Thales managements proposal to increase member contributions midway through a triennial valuation has been rejected by the Railways Pension Scheme Trustee Board.

This is clearly good news for all members of the Thales Pension Scheme who were affectively facing a pay cut had managements shameful proposal been accepted by the trustees. In consideration your General Grades Committee made the following decision on 10th October 2013:

That we note the ballot results are as follows:-

STRIKE ACTION

Total votes cast .......59...........

Number voting “Yes” ........53...........

Number voting “No” ........06..........

Spoilt Papers ........00...........

ACTION SHORT OF STRIKE ACTON

Total votes cast .......59...........

Number voting “Yes” ........56...........

Number voting “No” ........03..........

Spoilt Papers ........00...........

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Our East Ham Branch submitted the following resolution:-