Every Job Matters - Defending London Underground Jobs

This is the first part of a two part article taken from our newsletter on fighting job cuts. You can download it from here or request copies here

LUL management’s actions are creating problems for staff in all functions. RMT will be producing a series of leaflets giving detail, information and advice for members in each area. Here is a summary:

Stations
Station staff have been hammered since OSP slashed staffing level. Even if some posts are restored, management’s plan is to stretch us further and work us even harder.
To prepare for this, management are leaving duties uncovered, vacancies unfilled and station unstaffed, and repeatedly try to get staff to work outside the rules.

KNOW YOU RIGHTS – USE THEM OR LOSE THEM!

It may not feel like it at times, but you have rights at work! Some are set down in law, some are company policies and agreements fought for by RMT.

These laws and rights cover issues such as:

• working hours
• breaks while you are at work
• rest periods between duties
• where you work
• minimum staffing levels
• time off for leave, sickness, caring responsibilities and other reasons
• health and safety – including your right to refuse to work on the grounds of health and safety concerns
  

The RMTs new broadsheet 'We Can Stop Job Cuts' for the London Transport Region, is now available for distribution in workplaces. The RMT's London Region acting Regional Secretary said "Please could representatives make arrangements for collection accordingly for direct distribution into workplaces in accordance with the General Grades Committee’s decision. When you come, you will find a collection sheet and you are asked to put your name and workplace on it just so we know where the papers have gone.

JOB CUTS – IN NUMBERS

• 18,054 LUL staff on 31 March 2011

• 17,207 LUL staff on 31 March 2012

• 800 jobs, mainly on stations, cut under OSP, 2011

• 1,000+ jobs, mainly admin, cut under Project Horizon so far

• 1,823 agency staff working on TfL

• 681,540 working-age Londoners unemployed (claiming out-of-work benefits)

• 12.6% of all working-age Londoners unemployed (claiming out-of-work benefits)

• 125,000 16-24 year olds not in employment, education or training in London (2nd quarter 2012)

WE CAN STOP LONDON UNDERGROUND JOB CUTS - AND IMPROVE OUR LIVES AT WORK

On 18 November 2012, RMT marked the 25th anniversary of the King’s Cross fire, in which 31 people died. To prevent tragedies like this happening again, we must protect LU’s safety standards and staffing levels.

London’s Mayor and London Underground bosses intend to weaken safety rules and cut Tube jobs. RMT intends to defend and improve them.