RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the report from our Regional Organiser. London Underground management tried to introduce a 'line reserve' policy whereby reserve station staff would be systematically allocated duties outside their group of stations, to paper over the cracks of understaffing. Under pressure from our objections and threat to boycott the policy, management have backed down and reverted to the previous, agreed practice of allocating duties outside the group only occasionally. It is therefore the view of our Stations and Revenue Council representatives that it is no longer necessary to implement action short of a strike to boycott this ‘line reserve’ policy, and accordingly, we instruct the General Secretary not to include this in our action short of a strike on this issue. We remain vigilant, and ask our representatives to alert us to any further attempts to impose such a policy.

We further note that our membership database has not yet been fully updated to take account of station staff movements following the implementation of the Operational Strategic Plan (OSP) on 6 February. We are very disappointed that this is taking so long. We note the update from our Regional Organiser on file, and instruct the General Secretary to ensure that this update is concluded as soon as possible.

We further instruct the General Secretary to implement the outstanding instructions contained in our decision of 10 August 2011.

We further note that we have obtained a copy of a document, ‘Operational Strategy Discussion Paper’, outlining London Underground’s plans for further savage job cuts. We note that despite LU management’s attempt to present this as just a discussion document, not a concrete plan, they have presented a document to the TfL Board this week which is similar in content, and which includes: further reductions in ticket offices, further de-staffing of stations, new trains to not have drivers’ cabs, and cuts in maintenance inspections.

We declare our determination to fight against this serious attack on jobs, conditions and services, and instruct the General Secretary to continue to issue public statements emphasising this. We note that our representatives will be meeting with the Regional Organiser next week to discuss an effective strategy, and instruct the General Secretary to place a report of that meeting before us.

Any developments to be placed in front of us. London Transport Regional Council and branches with London Underground members to be advised.