This is an official RMT circular - IR/37/10 dated 29th of January 2010, from General Secretary Bob Crow.

Notice Of Industrial Action

As you may be aware, former Metronet signals members voted massively in favour of both strike action and action short. 307 members voted in favour of strike action with only 25 voting against. The vote for action short of a strike was even greater, this being 319 votes to 9.

None of this is really surprising because what management have been doing is an absolute disgrace and it is for this reason that the General Grades Committee has called for extensive industrial action. LUL’s bully boy tactics can no longer be tolerated and I have direct mailed every member concerned advising them of intended industrial action as follows:

First 24 hour strike

This will take place between 06.45 hours on Friday 5th February and 06.45 hours on Saturday 6th February 2010. Members have been instructed not to book on for any turns of duty between these times.

Further 24 Hour Strikes

These will take place every weekend from Sunday morning into Monday morning. The first of these will take place between 06.45 hours on Sunday 14th February and 06.45 hours on Monday 15th February 2010. Again members are asked not to book on for any turns of duty between these times.

Exactly the same will then apply on every other Sunday morning into Monday morning until further notice.

Overtime Ban

Members are also being asked not to work any overtime between the same dates and times as given above when strike action has been called. This is not a continuous overtime ban. Overtime may be worked as appropriate at any other times.

By calling this action, I firmly believe that management have been given a clear message that their workforce is one that refuses to be messed about. They cannot continue to ignore the fact that their actions caused people to vote for strike action in their hundreds with people voting against being barely in double figures.

And it also gives them the clear message that is they want to avoid a period of huge disruption, they must negotiate sensibly.