Defending jobs

Whilst not directly related to London Region members, this situation is something that is happening widely and demonstrates the methods that already profitable companies will use to increase profits further at the expense of their workers and out brothers and sisters in the RMT

OFFSHORE ENERGY union RMT today slammed the major subsea engineering and construction company Subsea 7 for engaging in a “race to the bottom” on pay and conditions through the hiring of cheap, overseas labour which has put jobs and conditions in the North Sea field under threat.

The Department for Transport is conducting a consultation on the effects of section 44, Local Transport Act 2008 and is inviting views on a package of draft regulations and guidance which relate to quality contracts schemes.

To view the draft Quality Contracts Schemes (Application of TUPE) Regulations 2009 click on this link http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/qcs/tupe1.pdf

From Steve Hedley, Regional Organiser ...

In response to management's internal circular claiming that the RMT have settled our dispute [which is attached] let me just clarify the position.

1. No RMT members will be made compulsorily redundant as part of the LUL organisational change process. There may well be members of other unions made redundant.

The new issue of our 'RMT Platform' newsletter itemises London Underground management's attacks on stations jobs, and reveals statistics that show just how mean LUL's pay offer really is. You can read all issues of 'RMT Platform' here.

It tells staff your rights regarding cancellation of overtime, and taking grievances against managers.

'RMT Platform' also reports on:

The attachment on this article details the management's attempt to drive custom away from ticket office windows and therefore do away with ticket office jobs. Euston, Paddington, Brixton, Victoria and Kings Cross are the latest stations which are trialling the five pounds minimum top up of oyster cards.

I am writing regarding the latest position in negotiations with LUL and TfL over pay, the 'jobs for life' deal and bullying of our members.

Talks at ACAS have broken down because management have refused to discuss pay and bullying. The 'jobs for life' deal has been discussed but despite this deal being signed off by Gordon Brown and guaranteed by John Prescott management are refusing point blank to abide by it.

We have had another Goebbels-like piece of propaganda in senior management's 'Heads Up' communiqué stating that there are now only 70 jobs at risk and there were over 250 vacancies. If this were true then management could easily guarantee everyone at least one alternative job: why then are they not prepared to do this?

An RMT member writes ...

MATS, if you are a M, SM, Technical or AD grade then the OCR is coming for you. LU Employee Relations have just ripped up the protection you thought you had under annexe H of the PPP contract and you are now eligible for Compulsory Redundancy.

Whether you are an Engineer, Document controller, CAD Draftsperson, Accountant, Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager, Architect, Site Surveyor, Buyer, Technical Writer, Planner or PA you are expendable as you are, in Gerry Duffy's words, "just back-room staff".

London Underground is shedding 1,000 jobs, and is considering making compulsory redundancies. Around 70 staff are still under threat of being forcibly sacked.

The company’s action directly breaches our ‘no compulsory redundancies’ agreement. If LUL gets away with breaching this agreement for this group of staff – who are in administrative and management grades – then it will try the same for other staff too. Your job and your grade could be next.

Admin now, other grades next