BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, GREEN PARK & EUSTON AREAS (VICTORIA CENTRAL GROUP) LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)

A resolution was recently received from Finsbury Park Branch along with a report from the Lead Officer regarding industrial relations affecting members at Green Park and Euston Areas which have deteriorated so far as to be unredeemable. The issues are due to the consistent unacceptable bullying and intimidating behaviour towards members and Representatives such as shouting, using threatening language, placing unreasonable demands on staff and other abuses on power including:-

• Disproportionately high amounts of probationary contracts terminated, usually for trivial reasons and sometimes without any justification whatsoever.
• Widespread administration of disciplinary hearings, usually for spurious reasons, which has engendered a culture of fear amongst my members.
• Routine misapplication of the case conference process with the aim of forcing out members with even very minor working adjustments in place including those who fall within the remit of the Equalities Act. Management is reportedly especially intolerant of those with mental health problems and members who have been the victim of assault.
• Confidential medical information is often circulated inappropriately, members are contacted on their private numbers including a recent call to a member on 3 days funeral leave, asking them to return to work early.

Despite these issues having been raised through the machinery, all attempts at conciliation have failed and if anything, management have accelerated their attacks on members and Representatives. The National Executive Committee is alarmed by the conduct of management on the Victoria Line Central station cover group and has taken the decision to declare a dispute with the Company and ballot members for strike action and action short of a strike in the form of an overtime and rest day working ban.

I am currently acting in accordance with this decision and will keep Branches advised of all further developments.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Lynch

• For the full version of this circular please contact your branch secretary.