From Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary

Dear Colleague,

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2009, REDUNDANCIES AND BREACH OF AGREEMENTS - LUL

DISPUTE UPDATE

On behalf of the General Grades Committee, I would firstly wish to congratulate members and representatives on London Underground for their continuing unity which delivered a strong and successful strike last month.

Since the highly successful stoppage of work there have been further discussions at Company Council level under the auspices of ACAS. I regret that these have not been entirely productive. Indeed, all the company have done is “consolidate” a previous offer made to the unions in June, but I would nevertheless lay out for this final offer as follows:

• Pay
  • Year One: 1.5% increase
  • Year Two: RPI + 0.5% or 0.5% whichever is the greater
• Medical Redeployment Referred to a JWP to review the effectiveness of current clause 6.2.8 of the Main Agreement
• 2012 Games LUL propose to discuss arrangements required to ensure their services contribute to the successful running of the games and that staff are recognised for this.

All other terms and conditions remain the same.

At the behest of the General Grades Committee, I have informed the company that none of this is acceptable. The pay aspect continues to fall short of our aspirations and although it now seems that LUL have agreed to abide by sections of their own attendance policy (which hitherto they have been breaking) they remain determined to break a major joint agreement concerning redundancies and redeployment. And on top of all this bullying of members by management remains widespread.

I have therefore also advised LUL that we remain in dispute on all of these issues. We cannot accept that employers should pick and choose which agreement they will abide by to the detriment of our members. However, I have also urged the company to re-enter into talks under the auspices of ACAS which the General Grades Committee wants concluded by 29th July.

A special open meeting for all Local representatives has been arranged for Thursday 30th July. It will commence at 09.30 hours in the Small Hall, Friends House, Euston Road NW1. I have asked for the paid release of all representatives. There is every chance that this will be declined but representatives are nevertheless asked to make every effort they can to attend in their own time if needs must as your views are important to us.

Noting the media campaign of hatred and propaganda against this union and our LUL members, I have been asked by the General Grades Committee to prepare a briefing paper for sympathetic MPs and journalists and to produce a leaflet for the public. I will of course be giving my attention to this and all other matters and will report further in due course.

With best wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow GENERAL SECRETARY