LU Fleet branch

Tube Lines Company Council meets tomorrow (Wednesday 28 November). The main issue to be discussed is the future of Tube Lines. Check back here for a report after the meeting!

RMT Council of Executives decision: We instruct the General Secretary to invite GMB, TSSA and Unite to a meeting to discuss how this campaign can be taken forward.

We note the report from our Regional Organiser, that in practice, our level 2 and tier 2 reps for stations and revenue control (10 reps) and trains (6 reps) have full-time release; we note that additionally, there is a full-time-release representative for Upgrades for trains and for service control. In all other functions – engineering, fleet, MATS, and service control – level 2 and tier 2 representatives are released on an “as and when basis” which can amount to nearly full-time release in practice in some, but not all, cases.

We note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch, and reiterate this union's complete opposition to driverless trains. Every train must have a driver, to ensure the safe and effective running of the Underground. Plans to scrap drivers or reduce their driving duties are risking safety, services and jobs, motivated by saving money and undermining trade unionism.

We instruct the General Secretary to:

We note the disappointing legal advice on this matter, and are appalled that employers apparently have such rights over our members’ personal information. We instruct the General Secretary to issue appropriate advice to our Tube Lines members, to send the full legal advice to the Secretaries of our LU Engineering and LU Fleet branches, and to seek their views on how to pursue this issue.

London Transport Regional Council, LU Engineering and LU Fleet branch to be advised.

• Tube Lines RMT members to begin overtime ban from 00:01 on Wednesday 9 May until 00:01 on Wednesday 23 May
• RMT applauds Tube Lines Staff who went on strike and LU staff who refused to work duties due to safety concerns.

RMT general grades have made the following decision:

We note the report from our lead officer and applaud our Tube Lines members for their solid, strong and effective strike action from 24-27 April. We also applaud those members on London Underground who

We welcome the report from our lead officer, confirmed by our branch secretary, that the industrial relations difficulties in this department are currently being resolved to our satisfaction. However, we remain vigilant for management causing any further problems, and instruct the General Secretary to place this matter back in front of us should any concern arise.

London Transport Regional Council and LU Fleet branch to be advised.

We note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch, and are alarmed at reports that management are apparently acting as though ASLEF has representation in this department, where RMT has sole recognition rights.

We note that our Regional Organiser has already contacted the employer and received assurances that this situation will be dealt with and RMT’s sole recognition will be upheld. We instruct the General Secretary to confirm that this is taking place in practice, and to bring to our attention any breaches.

• Action commences at 16.00 hrs today (24TH April) when Tube Lines staff, including the Emergency Response Unit, will walk off the job.
• It is important to point out that the impact of the action will extend beyond 72 hours as the strike decision says that … “members are instructed to return to work for shifts starting after 16:00hrs on Friday 27 April 2012.” Due to the shift patterns this means that the action and its impact on services will last throughout Friday evening.
  

FIRE BRIGADES UNION statement

London Fire Brigades Union is backing Tube Lines workers starting a 72-hour strike from 4pm this afternoon. The tube workers want access to the Transport for London pension scheme.

Ian Leahair, FBU Executive Council member for London said: “We’re throwing our support behind the Tube Lines workers taking strike action to secure access to the TfL pension scheme. A decent occupational pension is essential for workers to ensure they are not living in poverty in retirement.