London Underground Ltd

TRANSPORT UNION RMT warned today of a repeat of the G4S Olympics security scandal on the tube if London Underground continue with their plans to staff services with inadequately trained volunteers.

RMT is in formal dispute as Incident Customer Service Assistants (ICSA’s) are still being used to make up minimum numbers at stations, which is in breach of agreement made in 2008. Additionally. the union has advised management of serious concerns over their plans to introduce mobile station supervision as well as the continuing use of agency and security staff on the ex-Silverlink stations.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

“In response to LUL’s statement given on Thursday 5 July at 16:00 at ACAS, RMT is not arguing about the use of ICSAs working on stations alongside established staff. We are, however, totally opposed to ICSAs being counted towards minimum numbers for keeping a station open or for evacuation purposes.

On 2 April 2008, Gerry Duffy, LUL’s Director of Employee Relations, signed an agreement with RMT and TSSA which clearly states that the minimum staffing level for each station is:

In response to LUL’s statement given on Thursday 5 July at 16:00 at ACAS, RMT is not arguing about the use of ICSAs working on stations alongside established staff. We are, however, totally opposed to ICSAs being counted towards minimum numbers for keeping a station open or for evacuation purposes.

On 2 April 2008, Gerry Duffy, LUL’s Director of Employee Relations, signed an agreement with RMT and TSSA which clearly states that the minimum staffing level for each station is:

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that following a series of ACAS talks the Piccadilly and sub-surface lines control dispute has been settled and strike action due to start this Sunday evening has been called off.

Following extensive negotiations RMT has been able to secure agreements that protect earnings, employment, grading, career progression, training and the release time for union representatives.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

In this Olympic special edition:

• All Grades Of Transport Employees Are Entitled To A Decent Financial Reward
• TfL Strike
• Fully-Trained Station Staff Count!
• Your Reps Report
• Olympic Issues For Taxi Drivers

In June's edition:

• RMT Stands Up For Agency Staff on LU Stations
• Your Station and Revenue Grades Committee
• ICSAs: Vote ‘Yes’ for Safety and Job Security!
• Stick Within the Framework!
• Wheelchair Ramps
• Assisting Passengers With Luggage

TUBE UNION RMT announced today that it is to ballot all London Underground members for action short of a strike over the issue of the company using ill-trained and unqualified Incident Customer Service Assistants (ICSA’s) to make up minimum numbers at stations.

RMT has warned that not only is the policy dangerous but it is also in breach of the 2008 agreement that ended the casualisation dispute. The issue will be particularly relevant over the Olympics period when unprecedented numbers of people will be using the tube

RMT reps attended ACAS with London Underground Ltd today to discuss our service control dispute.

We confirmed the issues which have forced us to call industrial action, and received an initial, verbal response from management.

LUL will put its response in writing by Monday, and there will be further talks on Tuesday. So far, however, the company has not provided the answers that our service control members need to assure them of their future job security, fair treatment and adequate representation.

So our industrial action remains ON.

"our members who wish to adhere to agreements made by this union may require the additional protection of ‘action short of strikes’ to defend their right to do so"

We note the report from our Regional Organiser, and the problems experienced recently with London Underground’s apparent failure to adhere to our Olympics agreement. We hope that these problems will be resolved.

However, should they not be resolved, our members who wish to adhere to agreements made by this union may require the additional protection of ‘action short of strikes’ to defend their right to do so despite agreements made by other unions.