RMT official circulars

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow to RMT Fleet members at Northumberland Park depot:

Dear Colleagues,

I write to advise you that the ballot for industrial action has now been suspended as an agreement has now been reached on this matter. As you will recall three of your colleagues were being disciplined following allegations that they breached LUL (TFL) Internet and Email policy back in 2008 and faced serious sanctions. Your Union argued that as TFL were not the employer at the time and due to the timescale involved it was unreasonable to go down this route.

Branches will be aware that we are now in the third year of TFL’s three-year pay settlement. We agreed for this year that increase for the ‘Achieved’ rating would be February RPI + 0.5%. The February RPI figure has now been confirmed as 5.5%. Therefore for those who receive the ‘Achieved’ rating, the award is 6% effective as of 1st April 2011, which is payable in July 2011. This applies to members who working in TFL Corporate, Surface Transport and Rail for London Limited who are in Pay bands 1-3, as well as those who TUPED into TFL from other organisations.

Dear Colleagues,

NECESSARY LEAVE TO LOOK AFTER DEPENDENTS

In view of the strikes next Thursday 30 June 2011, I felt a reminder on the legal position regarding necessary leave to look after children or other dependents may be of assistance.

Under S.57A Employment Rights Act 1996 (“ERA 1996”), employees have the right to take unpaid time off work, in certain circumstances, to care for or make arrangements in respect of a ‘dependant’. In order for the right to apply, the employee must:
(a) tell the employer the reason for his or her absence as soon as reasonably practicable; and

From Regional Organiser Steve Hedley - RS procedure implementation.

Dear members, as you are fully aware there has been a proposed change to the old but very safe “scotch and clip” procedure for passing over points in slow speed were route secure indication cannot be confirmed to the train operator. The following may answer some of your questions.

The Durham Miners' Gala and the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival are tow important events in the unions calendar. Both take place in July, and this year, for the first time, the RMT has organised activities specifically for young members at both. Dave Marshall of the RMT Organising Unit says that these activities will be "combining education sessions with going along to and enjoying the events themselves."

The Durham Miners' Gala is from the evening of 7th July to the 11th. The Tolpuddle Festival is the following weekend from the evening of the 15th of July to the 17th.

Attached are RMT circulars and application forms for both events.

In line with RMT policy, a pay claim for an increase in pay and improved terms and conditions was submitted to London Underground on behalf of you and your colleagues.

The offer has been considered by your union’s Executive Committee and has been rejected.

Dear Colleague,

1. National LGBT Members’ Conference - 13th May 2011 (EO/32)

From General Secretary Bob Crow

As previously advised we are balloting all Train Operators and Instructor Operators for strike action over LUL’s continuing victimisation of our representatives and activists. You should by now have received your ballot papers for strike action at your home addresses. If not you should urgently contact the RMT helpline on 0800 376 3706. I urge you to vote in favour of strike action to send a clear message to LUL that we will not tolerate the victimisation of our reps and activists such as Eamonn Lynch and Arwyn Thomas. The ballot is due to close on Wednesday 27th April 2011.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow:

I am delighted to be able to report that this morning in the Court of Appeal RMT has secured a massive landmark victory on the UK strike laws over our dispute on Serco Docklands.

The full details are contained in the press statement below but be under no illusions – this morning RMT has given a huge boost to 7 million trade unionists in the country fighting for jobs, pensions and standards of livings.

TO ALL RMT TRAIN OPERATORS AND INSTRUCTOR OPERATORS AT ELEPHANT AND CASTLE AND QUEENS PARK TRAINCREW DEPOTS

Dear Colleagues,

DISMISSAL – EAMONN LYNCH – TRAIN OPERATOR - LUL

I write to you with further clarification in this matter and below you will find the latest General Grades Committee decision: -