TUBE UNION RMT today announced strike dates after members voted by almost two to one for strike action in a ballot of all train operator and instructor operator members in the on-going disputes over the victimisation of union activists including two driver members - Eamon Lynch and Arwyn Thomas - over their trade union activities.
From Regional Organiser Steve Hedley - RS procedure implementation.
Dear members, as you are fully aware there has been a proposed change to the old but very safe “scotch and clip” procedure for passing over points in slow speed were route secure indication cannot be confirmed to the train operator. The following may answer some of your questions.
The RMT Train Grades Committee has produced a new "Up Front" the newsletter for London Underground drivers. This edition has been amended to take account of RMT General Grades Committee decision. Click on the attachment to download it. Main stories follow:
What a result! Train drivers and Instructor operators on LU were asked “are you prepared to take strike action over the victimisation of Eamonn Lynch and Arwyn Thomas?” 64% of drivers responded with a resounding yes vote on a turnout of nearly 50%
This is a major achievement for the union and shows that drivers across the whole of the combine and in every depot are determined to stop the victimisation of our fellow drivers. Never before has the union escalated an individual case across the whole of the tube network.
RMT have produced an informative circular for Jubilee drivers regarding a new procedure for the line. The procedure is for passing over points with no route secure illuminated. The circular explains that Tier 2 control room reps have had no release to discuss and comment on the procedure, which means that they cannot endorse or agree to this process at present.
Click 'Read more' or download the attachment to read about the procedure and the reps guidance that it should not at present be carried out.
Click on the attachment below to download the April edition of London Calling.
In this edition:
STOP VICTIMISING OUR REPS - why drivers across the combine voted 'YES' to strike action for the reinstatement of Arwyn Thomas and Eamonn Lynch;
LU REWARDS STAFF WITH PAY CUT - 'Metro of the Year' rewards its staff with more work and a pay cut;
LU STALLS ON JOB CUT REVIEWS - how LU management are sticking two fingers up to the job cut review process.
Click '1 attachment' / file name to download the latest issue of 'RMT Platform', which leads with this article:
Station and revenue staff should support RMT's campaign to win the reinstatement of sacked driver reps Eamonn Lynch and Arwyn Thomas.
London Underground sacked Eamonn for following instructions from line control when he had a defective trip cock! Other drivers in similar situations, even those more at fault, have not been sacked. LU sacked Arwyn following allegations from a strike-breaker during last year's strikes against stations job cuts.
LU Victimisations – LU job cuts (OSP) – Tube cuts – LU machinery of negotiation - Victoria Line upgrade health & safety drivers’ dispute – Hammersmith & City Line dispute – LU ‘rainbow’ process – Signals Framework Agreement, grade progression – Northumberland Park fleet – imposition of Stations Framework Agreement – Power Control Room grade progression – DLR dispute – Regional Organiser assault conviction – Alstom Jubilee contract transferred back in-house to Tube Lines – LU uniform cleaning vouchers – LU pay – Disabled members’ advisory committee / conference – other companies – Egypt
RMT GGC decision:
That we note the result of our ballot for strike action is as follows:-
Number of ballot papers issued ....1298.................
Total votes cast ....595 (45.8% turnout).......
Number voting “Yes” .....379 (63.9%)....
Number voting “No” .....216...............
Spoilt Papers ....0.........
RMT GGC adopted the following report:
We welcome the transfer of the train maintenance contract on London Underground’s Jubilee Line from the privately-owned Alstom to the publicly-owned Tube Lines. This comes at a time when the Jubilee Line is plagued by delays and disruptions, and illustrates that this union was right to campaign against the contracting-out of this work.
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
That we note the report from our Regional Organiser. It is clear that London Underground Ltd is using the ‘rainbow’ attendance procedure to crank up its persecution of our members who are unfortunate enough to be unable to attend work through sickness, injury or other adverse circumstances. The company is using arbitrary targets and spurious ‘patterns’ to summon members to meetings, at which it denies them representation, and from which it issues ‘outcome’ letters which threaten disciplinary action.