London Underground scuppers talks on massive job cuts

RMT press release, issued today

TALKS ON London Underground’s plan to axe 1,000 jobs failed to clear the first hurdle today after the company refused to agree consultation arrangements.

The company effectively walked away from the table after refusing to discuss the procedure for the consultation, trying instead to steamroller through its own terms of reference – even down to the number of reps from each union.

The company even refused to discuss how the health and safety impact of the job cuts would be reviewed, insisting that consultation on the job cuts could begin without an arrangement in place

RMT reps told the company that they were available to continue talks, but could not begin to talk about the threat to jobs until there was agreement on how the process would work.

“Our reps went to today’s meeting willing to talk, but LUL tried to present them with a sham dressed up as a consultation,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“The reality is that the company is trying to flout existing agreements and health and safety procedures, and refused to acknowledge that former Metronet staff are covered by an agreement that guarantees no compulsory redundancies.

“Our former Metronet reps will be meeting later this week, and I do not doubt that they will furious that LUL appears bent on tearing up agreements.

“We already know that the 1,000 job cuts being proposed are likely to be the tip of the iceberg and our reps have every right to be concerned about the impact on services and safety.

“When billions have been thrown at the bankers who caused our economic crisis and Metronet bosses responsible for colossal waste of public money walked away with massive payouts that it is shameful that loyal Tube staff should be expected to pay with their jobs

“We have already made it quite clear that any attempt to impose compulsory redundancies among our members or to undermine their terms and conditions will be met with a ballot for industrial action,” Bob Crow said.

> RMT National News

Saturday, 14th June
Transport union, RMT has called on the British government to uphold the UN Charter and international law by calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the region.
Wednesday, 11th June
Rail union, RMT is balloting over 300 Gateline staff across Great Western Railway (GWR) for strike action in response to company plans to impose single staffing and extend working hours.
Tuesday, 10th June
Rail union, RMT today condemned First Group’s huge profits and its ongoing exploitation of Britain’s fragmented railway system through open access operations.
Friday, 23rd May
Bus workers employed by CT4N in Nottingham will take strike action across four days in June and July in a dispute over pay and working conditions.
Friday, 23rd May
RMT members at CrossCountry will begin an overtime ban and refuse to work rest days from Monday 9 June to Friday 25 October – excluding Sundays.