To all Train Operators and Instructor Operators on the Victoria Line, from Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary:

Dear Colleagues,

BREAKDOWN OF MACHINERY OF NEGOTIATION: VICTORIA LINE UPGRADE SAFETY AND TRAINING ISSUES- LONDON UNDERGROUND

Further to my letter dated 27th January 2011 regarding the issues over Sensitive Edge Activation, a number of other issues have been bought to my attention concerning the Victoria Line Upgrade. The General Grades Committee has considered this matter and taken the decision to ballot all Victoria Line Train Operator members for industrial action short of a strike with a view to protecting you from being forced to work unsafely and unfairly blamed for accidents.

We firmly believe management have ignored the Machinery of Negotiation on safety and training issues relating to the Victoria Line upgrade. Coupled with the continuing outstanding issues still not agreed with this union this amounts to a further attack on you and your colleagues as well as failing to protect the travelling public.

The issues included are as follows:-

Block Marker Boards (BMB)

Management are proposing to lower the standard for signal sighting which is clear breach of the Health and Safety Standard. They propose to sight one BMB and then use that as a template for all other boards. The purpose of the BMB is to inform the Driver where the position of the train has stopped and if you can’t clearly see a BMB, how do you know where you are?

ATP Shunt

This would mean the Train would drive itself at ‘Line Speed’ to the sidings, at present slow speed is used because it’s the safest way.

Exiting Sidings using Plungers

As it stands when in a siding and change ends a plunger is pressed to let the Line Controller/Signaller know that you are ready and the company want to replace this with new technology which alters the way this is done. The proposed changes would enable the line controller/signaller know when you’re ready to leave the sidings by picking up the signal when you enter your codes and destination when you have changed ends. We believe that the way management plan to introduce this leaves serious safety questions unanswered.

Bi-Directional Movement

Management are proposing the eroding of safety standards by introducing Bi Directional movements in and out of depots, this would mean you be expected to go in two directions on one section of track, which again puts your safety at risk.

Sensitive Edge

Management to want remove the inbuilt function on the new ‘09’ stock which stops a train if an object is caught in the door. These changes will allow the Driver to over-ride the sensitive edge technology and proceed after just a visual check. Coupled with the planned reduction of Station Staff, the dangers are compounded and any accidents would immediately be blamed on the driver.

We believe management’s approach to the upgrade is totally unacceptable and I urge all members affected to vote strongly in favour of industrial action short of a strike. Ballot papers will be sent out shortly to your home addresses with a closing date of Wednesday 13th April 2011.

SUPPORT YOUR UNION
VOTE ‘YES’ FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Yours Sincerely,

Bob Crow
General Secretary