Does the Economic Crisis Mean that Employers "Have To" Cut Jobs?

Submitted by Janine on 12 March, 2010 - 17:19

Both London Underground and Tube Lines - and, no doubt, many other companies - will tell us that they "have to" cut jobs because of the economic crisis. But a look at London Underground's history shows that this is not just untrue - it is the opposite of the truth.

London Underground began in 1863, when private companies starting opening lines. By the 1920s, the Underground had expanded into a web of lines beneath London, run by several different private companies.

RMT Pledges All Out Fight Over TfL and Tube Lines Cuts

Submitted by Peter on 12 March, 2010 - 14:23

TUBE UNION RMT today pledged an all out fight over the threat to safety, jobs and working conditions from cuts plans announced by Transport for London and expected attacks being worked up by contractor Tube Lines as they look to slash £1.3 billion from the tube upgrade budget.

RMT's executive passed a motion last night condemning the cynical attempt by TfL to smuggle out their threat to axe 800 jobs in ticket offices and on platforms.

'RMT Up Front': LU’s attack on station staffing levels is an attack on all grades

Submitted by Admin on 12 March, 2010 - 10:22

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download the latest issue of 'RMT Up Front', our newsletter produced by and for London Underground drivers.

Read the text below ...

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London Underground has just announced their intention of slashing hundreds of station staff jobs. LU is looking to cut station numbers to the bare minimum at many locations.

Notes from Regional Council Executive, 9 March 2010

Submitted by Admin on 11 March, 2010 - 22:25

PRESENT: Adrian Rowe, Clara Osagiede, Gary Lazell, Malcolm Taylor, Paul Jackson, Will Reid, Pat O'Brien, Andy Littlechild, Chris Carroll, James Wong-McSweeney, Carol Foster, Glenroy Watson, Adrian Finney, Vaughan Thomas, Janine Booth. IN ATTENDANCE: Steve Hedley (Regional Organiser), Olly New (Executive member), John Moloney (PCS), Josie Toussaint-Pinnock, Claire Reilly APOLOGIES: Linda Wiles, Paul Rutland, Ross Marshall, John Kelly, Lewis Peacock, Steve Reeley, Tony Gandolfi, Dave Rayfield

Resolution: New LUL Grievance Procedure

Submitted by Admin on 11 March, 2010 - 21:18

The following resolution, submitted by Hammersmith & City and Jubilee & East London Line branches, was carried at the March meeting of the Regional Council.

This Regional Council opposes the decision made by the General Grades Committee to accept the new LUL Grievance Procedure.

This was done without consultation with either local representatives or branches.

We cannot understand why this matter was hurried through the GGC when the implementation date was 1st April 2010.

Emergency resolution: Stations Job Cuts

Submitted by Admin on 11 March, 2010 - 19:53

The following resolution, submitted by Stratford no.1 branch and seconded by Hammersmith & City branch, was carried unanimously by the March meeting of the Regional Council.

This Regional Council deplores TfL's announcement of 700-800 stations jobs. We reaffirm RMT's determination to fight all job cuts, and resolve to step up implementation of the campaign plan that we passed late last year.

We resolve to run a high-profile public campaign against these job cuts, as well as fighting them through industrial action.

It's Official: London Underground Plans to Slash "700-800" Stations Jobs

Submitted by Janine on 11 March, 2010 - 14:46

SOSTransport for London has today finally admitted its plans for widespread de-staffing of London Underground stations, with the loss of 700-800 jobs. Today's press release, which you can read below, follows months of warnings from RMT about the company's intentions, and several leaks - which at the time, the company dismissed as 'scaremongering'.

TfL claims that its plans will create a 'safe, efficient and transformed Tube'. However:

  • The Tube will not be 'safe' with hundreds fewer staff - it will leave passengers (and the remaining staff) vulnerable to accidents and assaults in understaffed stations, and unable to cope properly with serious, even life-threatening, incidents.
  • The Tube will not be 'efficient', as without enough staff, it will not be able to provide the reliable and comfortable services that passengers want.
  • The Tube will be 'transformed', but not in a good way! Rather, it will be 'transformed' into a barely-staffed system in which services become unreliable and passengers find it hard to find the help they need.

RMT is determined to fight these job cuts, as we know that they are potentially disastrous for station staff, for other grades of Underground and TfL staff, and for passengers. Everyone is welcome to be part of our campaign.

Make sure you regularly check our special 'SOS - Staff Our Stations' webpage for updates on developments and campaigning.

Regional Report

Submitted by Admin on 10 March, 2010 - 21:02

1 TUBE UNION RMT today demanded that London Mayor Boris Johnson take “urgent and decisive” action to terminate the Tube Lines contract on London Underground as it emerged that LU are calling in forensic accountants to “examine massive and secretive payments to Tube Lines’ shareholders” and after the company were branded as “ailing and failing” by TFL.

LU Calls In 'Forensic Accountants' On Tube Lines Payments To Shareholders

Submitted by Peter on 10 March, 2010 - 14:04

TUBE UNION RMT today demanded that London Mayor Boris Johnson take “urgent and decisive” action to terminate the Tube Lines contract on London Underground as it emerged that LU are calling in forensic accountants to “examine massive and secretive payments to Tube Lines’ shareholders” and after the company were branded as “ailing and failing” by TfL.