From RMT Regional Organiser Steve Hedley ...

In answer to Gerry Duffys bulletin on the strike I would like to deal with the distortions of the truth that he has made.

1 The pay offer. The offer is one percent this year and rpi plus 0.5 percent for years 2 to 5 .This is right over the Olympic period where Australian rail workers were very well rewarded when the games were in Sydney. This is clearly unacceptable but we have not walked out on talks and will continue to negotiate.

2 Management are trying to introduce an organisational change process that contains compulsory redundancies. Our current jobs for life deal outlaws compulsory redundancies. Of course if they get the new policy in it will be extended to everyone. The TSSA signed up to this policy years ago where you can be made redundant after sixteen weeks, the RMT will not help do away with your job. Remember tfl /lul have 3 billion worth of cuts to make most of them within the next eighteen months and already vacancies are being unfilled and management are trying to do away with minimum staffing levels. Operational staff are next in the firing line.

3 We have already democratically voted to oppose this appalling five year pay shackle ,oppose job cuts and make management stop bullying staff. WE NOW HAVE TO VOTE AGAIN because management rather that sit down and discuss the issues with the union went running to unelected lawyers to deny you your democratic rights.

4 Management are breaking agreements all over the underground phoning sick people at home issuing warnings where they are clearly uncalled for and sacking people to intimidate their workmates. The situation is so bad that the Victoria line closed completely due to strike action for the first time in its history.

5 The RMT only ever strike as a last resort after a democratic mandate is given by you our member.

6 PLEASE SEND MANAGEMENT A CLEAR SIGNAL THAT WE DO NOT ACCEPT THEIR PAY INSULT, JOB CUTS AND BULLYING.

7 Vote yes to strike action and yes to action short of strike and get all your workmates to do the same.

Yours sincerely Steve Hedley Regional Organiser