From your Regional Organiser, Steve Hedley.

Dear brothers and sisters

I feel compelled to write to you to answer some very serious distortions of the truth made not only by management but also by some members of other trade unions.

Firstly, however, I will begin by praising in the highest possible terms the ASLEF rank-and-file drivers on the Victoria line who have fought beside our members to demand safe trains, the reinstatement of sacked driver Carl Campbell and an end to management bullying on the line.

I wish I could say the solidarity was universal, but unfortunately this is not the case. Some ASLEF reps have been spreading rumours that we have walked out on pay talks, our action is premature and we are striking to defend managers' jobs.

This is absolute nonsense. We are forced to take strike action because management are trying to impose a five-year pay deal on us. We submitted our pay claim in November, the anniversary date for pay is April, so in effect your pay rise is now already over two months overdue. Try telling the gas or electric company to wait over two months for payment and see what response you get. It seems however that some people are infinitely patient when it’s YOUR money not being paid.

London Underground /TfL have around £3 billion of savings to make, mainly in the next eighteen months. They are trying to do this by introducing an organisational change policy which contains compulsory redundancies. We currently have a no compulsory redundancy agreement won by industrial action during the strikes over PPP. If compulsory redundancies are accepted then no one’s job is safe.

Do the maths. London Underground have to cut costs massively already vacancies are being unfilled and management are trying to do away with minimum staffing levels for sub surface stations. Drivers are being sacked for the slightest infringement of the rules and a culture of bullying is prevalent in all grades.

We have had an overwhelming six-to-one vote for strike action on a turnout just under forty percent - that’s despite management intimidation, pulling down union notices and telling people to vote no.

We want to settle this dispute by talking but it seems management tell us that their hands are tied.

Even at this late stage we have appealed to Boris Johnson to intervene directly and help prevent the strike and we are prepared to meet him right up until the last minute to avoid confrontation.

To stop a five year pay freeze ,prevent bullying and stop compulsory redundancies make sure you support yourself by supporting your union.

Many thanks Steve Hedley Regional Organiser, RMT