RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the response from ASLEF to our letter, and are pleased that ASLEF agrees to seek a joint approach to achieving the best possible offer from London Underground for Olympic working. We instruct the General Secretary to explore the possibility of a joint meeting with ASLEF, TSSA and Unite to pursue this.

We further note that at talks yesterday, London Underground did not make a new offer, but that the unions raised several issues which will lead to further talks next Monday, 6 February. We instruct the General Secretary to place this matter in front of us after these talks, with a report on progress.

We note the Evening Standard front page article of 30 January 2012, containing accusations that London Underground trade unions are “greedy and unpatriotic” for rejecting the company’s inadequate offer of up to £500 for employees. We note that the two Tory MPs quoted as criticising the unions’ claim for a decent reward for members, Michael Fallon and Stephen Hammond, are both paid far higher salaries than our members on London Underground. In addition, Michael Fallon overclaimed £8,000+ in public money in expenses for his mortgage, and received £13,954.88 for 20 hours work as a company director; and Stephen Hammond has several additional incomes, including consultancy which pays him £300 per hour. They appear to be ill-suited to accusing hard-working people of ‘greed’. We instruct the General Secretary to circulate this and other relevant, verfied information in response to media attacks on Tube workers and unions.

Further, we note that several employers in the London Transport region have yet to respond to claims from this union for appropriate reward and recognition for our members. We instruct the General Secretary to contact them to demand a response as a matter of urgency. Responses to be placed in front of us.

London Transport Regional Council and branches to be advised.