Dear colleague

FURLOUGH ARRANGEMENTS – CORONAVIRUS – TRANSPORT FOR LONDON

Your union has been in discussions with Transport for London as the company plans to introduce Furlough Arrangements where certain members of staff in TfL/LUL will be put on to the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The company has outlined that those currently being identified for the scheme would be staff whose work has ceased or reduced as a result of the current pandemic as well as those who are absent from work due to shielding or on long-term sickness absence.

Members may know that the minimum provisions contained in the national scheme sees workers paid 80% of their salary up to a maximum of £2500 per month, which employers claim back from the government. However, in response to RMT representations on pay and other matters regarding these proposals, TfL/LUL has given the following commitments.

All employees who are placed on this scheme will receive 100% of their contractual salary while on furlough leave. All terms and conditions of employment, as well as other benefits, will remain unchanged, including continuity of service and pension entitlements
The only impact on furloughed employees is that they will not be required to carry out their contractual duties whilst participating in the scheme. They will be able to undertake training whilst on furlough leave and can volunteer in external organisations.
All employees who participate in the scheme will return to their substantive roles. Once individuals resume their duties they will suffer no detriment as a result of having being placed on furlough leave compared to those who are not furloughed

I would like to stress that TfL is not proposing any variation to members’ terms and conditions and nor is it, at this stage, seeking agreement from your union on this matter. At the moment, the company is merely undertaking a process of identifying those who would be in scope for this scheme and your union can assure you that we shall remain vigilant and defend our members’ rights and terms and conditions throughout this process.

I will of course provide you with an update on all further developments in this matter.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary