RMT to Seek Agreement on LU Electronic Communications

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the legal advice received.

We are disappointed with the advice that LUL can lawfully change its electronic communications policy without consultation or first seeking the consent of employees or the union. This illustrates that employees’ and trade unions’ rights under the law remain very limited and employers’ powers very great.

We further note the advice regarding disciplinary action for breach of the guidelines.

LUL Employee Helpline - No Issue

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the report from our lead officer that branches, reps and members have raised no complaints about this helpline with him. Further, we note that there is no material on the file indicating any concerns from members, and that there have been no further developments on this issue since the lead officer’s report was received in March 2011.

We therefore close this file.

DLR Arrangements for Jubilee Bank Holiday

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note Serco Docklands’ intentions for arrangements for staff for the Diamond Jubilee bank holiday. We also note the view of our DLR branch secretary that Serco Docklands’ response follows the company’s normal practice, applying the same procedure as for additional public holidays in previous years.

London Transport Regional Council and DLR branch to be advised.

RMT Secures £500 Olympic Bonus At Virgin Rail

RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it has secured a £500 Olympics and Paralympics payment for Virgin Rail staff as part of a package which will also see wages and allowances rise by 4.6% or £950 (whichever is the greater) from April this year and a £500 flat rate payment for all staff covered by collective agreements for additional pressures on services throughout the Olympics period.

Overwhelming Votes For Action On Heathrow Express Over Sacking Of Driver And Victimisation Of RMT Activist

RAIL UNION RMT have confirmed that ballots for strike action and action short of a strike on Heathrow Express over the unfair dismissal of a driver member and over a campaign of harassment and victimisation against an RMT representative have returned overwhelming votes for action.

Blog: How Much Snow Is Too Much? When Trains Are Stalled And People Walked Along The Track

On Saturday night the predicted heavy snow brought much of the tube to a halt. Efforts were made to keep the service running and get passengers safely home by staff working that evening. However was the inevitable - trains being stuck in snow between stations - ignored until it was too late?

LGBT Members To March At Tolpuddle Festival

The festival runs from 13-15th July 2012. The rally is on Sunday 15th July.

Regional councils usually organise coaches to get members to and from the rally on the sunday.

Why not join us? Help carry the banner or walk with us for the rally on Sunday.

Further details on the festival can be found here.

For more information on marching with the LGBT banner contact John via the RMT LGBT Facebook group.

RMT To Join World Pride 2012 In London

This year World Pride is coming to London and RMT is going to be taking part. We've already paid for a stall in Trafalgar Square and are also organising a walking party.

If you would like to be involved in either walking in the parade with the RMT LGBT members, or you can help staff the stall - giving out freebies to the public - then please get involved.

All RMT members are encouraged to come along - lets demonstrate this union's stand against discrimination towards our LGBT colleagues and friends.