RMT black cab drivers to fight Heathrow minicab plans

Submitted by Admin on 6 July, 2009 - 23:00

Black cab driver members of specialist transport union RMT confirmed today that they will be fighting plans by BAA which would open the door to direct booking of minicabs at Heathrow in a move that has been described as “disastrous” for the licensed taxi trade.

BAA is looking at trialing a deal with Addison Lee and One Transport at terminals 3 and 5 this year which would allow them to operate from reserved bays and from a central booking booth in the car park in direct challenge to the traditional black cab rank.

Speech to mass meeting

Submitted by Janine on 6 July, 2009 - 23:00

These are the notes of my speech to RMT's mass meeting about the jobs/pay/justice dispute at the start of July:

Three things: 1. recognise the effectiveness and importance of the strike 2. argue that we can not settle for what is on the table now 3. stress that what we do next must be what you as reps - and your members - want us to do

1. A fantastic 48 hours

  • regained our dignity by standing up to management
  • despite small amount of scabbing (whihc always happens), it was solid and effective

RMT warns of new PPP collapse on Tube as £2 billion funding row erupts between TfL and Tube Lines

Submitted by Admin on 6 July, 2009 - 12:00

Tube union RMT warned today of another potential privatisation collapse on the Tube as a £2 billion funding row broke out between Tube Lines and Transport for London which could put essential works and thousands of jobs at risk in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.

Tube Lines, which holds the contract for the repairs and refurbishment of the Piccadilly, Northern and Jubilee Lines, has attempted to hack £2 billion from it's estimated costs of £ 7.2 billion on the work programme for the next seven and half years with a significant scaling back of the scope of the planned works.

Pay: Recent Settlements

Submitted by Admin on 5 July, 2009 - 17:05

Here are some recent pay settlements, which may help put London Underground's and TfL's current offers in perspective:

  • HBOS: 4.25%
  • Lloyds TSB: 4%, second year of 3-year deal
  • Phoenix Healthcare Distribution: 3.65%
  • BAE Regional Aircraft: 3%
  • BVT Surface Fleet: 3%
  • Stagecoach South West: 3.2 - 4.5%
  • Stagecoach South West Weillington depot: 4%
  • Maersk Offshore Deep Sea Ratings: 3%
  • Hitachi: 4.2% from 1 January 2009, plus 3% from 1 April 2009
  • Wabtec: 3.5%
  • Unipart Crewe: 2.5%

London Underground Reps' Meeting

London Underground has agreed to release all level one reps from work on Monday to attend this important meeting. You will hear reports from negotiators and discuss what you think of the company's latest position on the three issues in our dispute: jobs, pay and justice.

Venue: Friends House, Euston Road (opposite Euston station)

Mass Meeting: Pay Talks and Other Dispute Issues

meetingVenue: Friends House, Euston Road (opposite Euston station).

Please attend the meeting on Monday 6th July 2009 at 5pm to discuss the latest pay offer, the ACAS talks on our existing no compulsory redundancies deal and other issues in the dispute including the victimisation of RMT reps.

We will have a full and frank debate on all these matters and agree a course of action. This is your chance to tell your negotiators your views directly so please make every effort to attend.

'RMT Ramblers' Request Your Support!

Submitted by Admin on 4 July, 2009 - 11:13

3 peaksRMT reps Jim McDaid, Garry Houghton, Den Fitzpatrick and Dave Rayfield are taking part in the 3 Peaks challenge (which involves climbing Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis one after the other) on 17 September 2009 to raise money for The Railway Children charity and they would really appreciate your support.

It's easy to donate online with a credit or debit card - just go to our JustGiving page by clicking here.

RMT Calls For Investigation Into Use Of Management Consultants By Transport for London

Submitted by Admin on 2 July, 2009 - 12:00

pile of cash Transport union RMT today called for a full National Audit Office investigation into the use of management consultants by Transport for London after new figures showed that over £15 million has been spent in one section alone, congestion charging and traffic enforcement, in the past two years. The union are also referring the matter to the Transport Committee of the GLA.