Discrimination against disabled workers continues, and RMT is organising to oppose it
Updates on ongoing work
EVERY JOB MATTERS – DEFENDING JOBS ON LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/5)
Further to my previous Circular (IR/224/15, 23rd September 2015), the following resolution was recently received from our Hammersmith & City Branch:-
“This Branch is concerned how some station staff are being treated under the ‘Fit for the Future programme’. The members concerned are those who have medical restrictions due to a disability and who seem to be being singled out and moved without taking into account these restrictions.
Responding to the report today from disabled charity Whizz-Kidz that young people are being denied opportunities because of poor access to transport services, RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“This is an important report that shames the transport industry in Britain and which should force the issue of disabled access to services right up the agenda.
This is the latest edition of Jubilee South News.
In this edtion:
RMT London Transport Region's Jubilee South branch has unanimously passed a motion in support of branch member Francis Darcy. Francis is a long term RMT member and London Underground worker; who is employed as a SAMF. Francis developed Repetitive Strain Injury whilst doing her job, and despite the difficulties this condition has causes her, has maintained her condition, and was doing her job just days ago. However at a recent 'case conference' the decision was taken to redeploy her to an unknown role, without warning.
Following Karen Guyotts' dismissal because she had a disability - questions were asked in Parliament - MPs from all sides of the house were appalled that in 2015 London's biggest employer could sack one of its employees solely because she had a disability.
LUL cited that the reasonable adjustments in place for Karen were "unsustainable" and sacked her.
Karen was unable to "sustain" an industrial response due to her condition.
1. Protesting against attacks on disabled people. The Tories are intensifying their assault on disabled people's rights, particularly access to benefits. I will be circulating information about protests and other events in and around London. Please look out for these and encourage members to take part.
2. Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC). Our union affiliates to DPAC, an excellent organisation that actively does what its names suggests! I propose that the Regional Council invites DPAC to speak at its September meeting.
In this Newsletter: