Notes from Regional Council Executive meeting 12 May 2009

Attendance: Glenroy W, Carol F, Stefan M, John K, Jackie D, Les S, Lewis P, Linda W, Mark H, Josie T-P, Olly N, Dean O'H, Vaughan T, Pat O'B, Janine B, Unjum M, Gwyn P, Damian F, Steve H, Clara O

Apologies: Neil H, Becky C, Micky H, Malcolm T, Chris T, Tony G, Mick C, Neil C, Paul J, Paul R, Chris C

Noted that as Paul Rutland is now a branch chair and therefore automatically a member of the Executive, his elected place on the Executive is vacant. Vacancy to be filled by nomination at the next Regional Council meeting.

1. REGIONAL COUNCIL MAILING

RMT announces a 24 hour strike on the Victoria Line this week over door-opening safety issues and bullying of staff

RMT train operators working out of the Seven Sisters depot, covering the Victoria Line, will be on strike from 21.00 hours Wednesday 20 May to 20.59 hours Thursday 21 May in a second day of action in a dispute over the failure to install Correct Door Side Enabling Equipment and the continuing bullying, harassment and victimisation of RMT members.

POSTPONED: Training Workshop: Recruitment, Retention and Managing Membership Information

This has now been postponed until next month.

RMT Regional Membership Secretary Dave Rayfield explains the hows and whys of recruiting and retaining members, and keeping your membership information up-to-date. This workshop is a must for all RMT reps. Activists and members are welcome too.

Venue: ex-Services club, Harvey Road, Leytonstone

Why You Have to Vote Again

In April, RMT members returned a massive YES vote for industrial action to oppose LUL’s pay cuts, job cuts and mistreatment of staff. Over 83% voted for strikes; 94% for action short of a strike. This result sent a clear message: We will not stand by while you cut staff, attack our living standards and bully us into working when we’re sick.

Under The Axe

  • Your pay
  • Your job
  • Your rights

  • Your pay

    RMT asked for a one-year deal, a substantial pay rise, a minimum of £26k, and improvements to conditions.

    LUL has offered a real-terms pay cut of 1% for 2009 and RPI+0.5% for the next four years. LUL is using the recession as a smokescreen to get the Olympics on the cheap. TfL has not even made an offer!

    Both employers have refused to even consider our other claims, on issues such as medical redeployment, shorter working hours and family-friendly policies.

  • Your job
  • Answering Back: Replying to Management's Propaganda Against Our Dispute

    Management Say ...

    A five-year deal gives us security.

    No, it gives us insecurity. It ties us to a set formula regardless of what economic changes lie ahead. It is like committing ourselves to wearing bermuda shorts and flipflops regardless of changeable weather and storms on the way.

    The pay rise should be based on RPI: it always has been in the past.

    Remember LUL’s ‘Breakout’ campaign? It told us not to be afraid to do things differently if it means doing them better.

    'RMT London Calling' May 2009 - Vote Yes for Jobs, Pay and Justice

    The new issue of 'RMT London Calling' urges all members on TfL and London Underground (including ex-Metronet) to vote Yes in the re-ballot for industrial action to defend jobs, pay and justice. It takes an indepth look at the issues and answers management's propaganda.

    'RMT London Calling' also reports on the Victoria line dispute, DLR workers' fight against imposed rosters, and other RMT activities in the London Transport region.

    Please distribute it widely around workplaces. Click '1 attachment'/file name to download it.

    GSMs on the line: Who is in charge?

    GSM Simon Jones (Charing Cross) and GSM Stacey McManus (Wembley Central) have virtually no experience of operating in our industry and their management of both groups over the last year goes a long way in proving their incompetence. Performance manager Dave Proffit appears to have far too much involvement on all the groups and many staff members and reps are of the opinion that the GSM's don't lead their groups its Dave Proffit.

    Jobs Going Through The Back Door!

    Your RMT Reps have received information that shows London Underground (LUL) cutting jobs through the back door. The RMT has called for an emergency meeting with LUL management to explain what they are doing and await their reply to our request.

    The methods that LUL are deploying to cut these jobs are appalling and is stopping staff gaining promotion, stopping staff working beyond retirement (for those want to!) and in the case of Waterloo blatantly removing positions off the new roster.

    Response to Gerry Duffy's Bulletin

    From RMT Regional Organiser Steve Hedley ...

    In answer to Gerry Duffys bulletin on the strike I would like to deal with the distortions of the truth that he has made.

    1 The pay offer. The offer is one percent this year and rpi plus 0.5 percent for years 2 to 5 .This is right over the Olympic period where Australian rail workers were very well rewarded when the games were in Sydney. This is clearly unacceptable but we have not walked out on talks and will continue to negotiate.