FACILITIES AND TIME OFF FOR TRADE UNION DUTIES - ABM (LUL CONTRACT) (LUL/20/3)

The following resolution was received from our LU Fleet Branch:

“This regional council notes that within the ABM/RMT collective bargaining machinery section; 'Facilities and time off' there is no available time for reps to carry out their union duties in the workplace to speak to members about current issues, station and depot tours/inspections, collecting and collating agenda items for local/divisional/JNB meetings, updating noticeboards and sharing minutes. ABM reps are regularly expected to go into work before attending meetings in a rush meaning that they don't have time to clean themselves up before meetings creating health and safety issues for themselves and the travelling public.

Furthermore, ABM reps are expected to write to ABM TU Liaison to organise and attend pier walk offices to be able to access a computer to be able to review minutes, send emails, prepare for meetings, photocopy documentation, etc. This is logistically extremely difficult for ABM reps which are based all over London; from Upminster depot to Stanmore station. Reps currently don't have any access to computers within their workplace in a private space.

The unrealistic workload for ABM reps to do while working 6 days a week means that the collective bargaining agreement is set up to failure. We have exhausted the machinery with this issue and ABM will not listen to our concerns.

We resolve that:

· The NEC instructs the general secretary to write to the Mayor of London to express these concerns over the failure of ABM to provide legitimate paid time off for trade union duties in the form of a minimum of one day a month off for each rep. Furthermore, ABM's failure to provide RMT reps with legitimate access to facilities to be able to carry out their trade union duties within their workplace.

· The General Secretary to report back to the RMT ABM officer so that they can report back to the reps at the appropriate cleaning grades committee meeting.”

The National Executive Committee agrees with the sentiment of the resolution entirely and has instructed me to obtain an updated report from the Lead Officer after the upcoming Joint Negotiating Body meeting on 2nd June 2025.

I will keep Branches advised of all further developments.