London Underground Ltd

London underground's logo - the roundel

News, reports and information for RMT members who work for London Underground Ltd

RMT In Dispute As LUL Tries To Change Rules With Introduction Of New Trains

We note the report from our Trains Council representatives, and note the following issues regarding
London Underground’s new S stock:

  • the inadequate time allowance for the drivers’ train preparation
  • cross-line working by C&H drivers on the Metropolitan line under the new timetable to be introduced in May
  • the removal of train maintenance at Hammersmith depot and the impact of this on train movement
  • the length of time between drivers being trained and actually driving the new trains
  • the absence of Defective In Service Instructions (DISI) for the S stock

RMT Appalled By Tube Bosses Plan To Circumvent Agreed Negotiation Avenues

We note the correspondence from London Underground Ltd, and additionally the report from our representative and from our Regional Organiser.

We are appalled that LUL is attempting to circumvent our agreed machinery of negotiation through its ‘Engagement’ meetings. We believe that this will not encourage a more constructive working relationship and involvement as the company claims, but will reduce trust and remove important issues from our agreed, transparent and formal process.

We endorse the General Secretary’s instruction to our representatives not to attend these meetings.

MATS Newsletter: Admin CDI Note Taking

A lot of the admin on London Underground are being asked to take notes at Company Disciplinary Interviews. We have been informed by the MATS reps that this is voluntary and in no way can you be made to do this. The company is looking for a team of forty five volunteers to take the minutes at CDIs.

The company want to reap the benefits of the Admin Grade Review which they dumped because they didn't want to financially reward staff for going above and beyond their role. Some people are being told by their Centurions that they have to take part in this fiasco, you
don’t!

Jubilee Line Tube Drivers In Strike Vote Over Bullying And Working Conditions

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that tube drivers on the Jubilee Line, working out of the Stratford and Greenwich depots, are to be balloted for industrial action in a dispute over bullying of staff through the misuse of procedures and an appalling decline in the standard of working conditions.

In a letter to London Underground setting out the reasons for the dispute, RMT has highlighted:

  • The unfair and disproportionate treatment of Drivers in disciplinaries
  • Many facilities on the Jubilee line being in a very poor and in some cases a “disgusting” state

RMT Response To Runaway Tube Train Fines

London Underground, Tubelines and Schweerbau GMBH have been fined £300,000 having plead guilty in court to endangering safety following the 2010 runaway train incident.

The incident occurred when a defective maintenance train was being towed. The trains became separated and the defective wagon rolled through seven stations of speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, coming within 600m of a passenger train. The quick response of control room staff prevented what judge Richard Hone told the court: “was the potential of terrible tragedy.”

RMT London Calling Newsletter March 2013 Edition

Download or view the newsletter below

Mike Brown Confirms LU to attack Stations Jobs

On February 18th Our General Secretary Bob Crow met with Mike Brown to discuss the future of Jobs on the combine. LU are pressing ahead with plans to remove night-turn supervisors and gave no assurances about the grade of staff left to run the stations through the traffic day.

We must insist that 24 hour coverage of our stations by supervisors is maintained to guarantee’ safety and
that correct procedures are followed by companies in Engineering hours.

RMT Appalled At Fingerprinting Plan For Cleaners

We note the report of the well-attended meeting of our London Underground / Tube Lines ISS representatives on 20 February 2013.

The meeting identified several attacks on working conditions in addition to pay issues:

  • ‘Bradford Factor’ attendance rules
  • new rostering, extending the unpaid break in the middle of the shift from 30 minutes to 45, 60 or even 75 minutes
  • biometric booking on, including for agency staff

Management Action On Jubilee Line Leads To Ballot For Joint Union Strike

We note the resolution from our Jubilee South branch, and the numerous problems being caused by management at North Greenwich and Stratford depots. Following thorough discussion with our representatives and in line with their expressed views, we instruct the General Secretary to ballot our train driver members at Stratford and North Greenwich depots for strike action, to a timescale that will enable co-ordinated action with ASLEF. A personal letter is to be sent to all members being balloted, strongly urging them to vote Yes.

RMT Concerned About Pension Contribution Levels For New Tube Drivers'

We note with concern the correspondence from our Bakerloo branch that recently-recruited drivers did not have their pension contributions adjusted to the correct level until the first pay period of 2013 despite being in their new grade for many months.

We remind London Underground Ltd that the TFL Pension Fund rules are clear, and that a driver member is entitled to accrue his/her pension as a driver from the date of his/her appointment as a driver.