Health and safety

Campaigning for higher health and safety standards at work, and opposing the employers' shortcuts

Bakerloo News January 2019

Bakerloo News has all the latest updates from the RMT Bakerloo branch.

In this edition:

  • Union action wins concessions

  • Fight goes on: hold the bosses to their commitments

  • Access all areas?

  • Organising on the SRT

  • Challenging unsafe practices on North Group

  • Red tabards

Please download the newsletter and distribute it in your Bakerloo Line workplace, and share it online too.

Lack of adequate cover at Hendon Central Group

Subject: DUTIES/SHIFT COVERAGE, HENDON CENTRAL GROUP – LONDON UNDERGROUND

That we note the resolution from our Camden 3 Branch regarding the lack of adequate cover for stations on the Hendon Central Group; resulting in unsatisfactory practices such as unacceptable levels of lone working.

This NEC opposes the company putting cost above passenger and staff safety.

We instruct the General Secretary to place a report in front of the NEC without delay.

Members to be advised by email and text.

Imposition of red tabards

Subject: RED TABARDS, STATION STAFF – LONDON UNDERGROUND That we note with concern of our Bakerloo Line Branch that the company have ignored our members health & safety concerns expressed by their representatives and have imposed the new red tabards on stations staff. We instruct the General Secretary to place a report in front of the NEC without delay. Bakerloo Line Branch and the London Transport Regional Council to be advised.

District Centre Cover Group dispute arises over uncovered shifts

Subject: DUTIES/SHIFT COVERAGE, DISTRICT CENTRE GROUP – LONDON UNDERGROUND

That we note the resolution from our Piccadilly and District West Branch; that the stresses and strains put on members in the District Centre Cover Group caused
by a lack of staff leading to shifts being left uncovered.

Waterloo & City Line ballot called

Subject: REMOVAL OF DETRAINMENT STAFF, WATERLOO, WATERLOO & CITY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND

That we note the current live ballot mandate to protect our members and travelling public from the company’s cavalier approach to detrainment is about to expire due to
the government anti-trades union laws; and that we need to conduct another ballot to assist our members to continue working safely.

RMT prepares to ballot over new 'HOT' procedure

That we note the resolution from our Piccadilly & District West Branch, and are stunned that given the contentious historical nature of this matter which places the travelling public and our members in danger; that the company have again put forward a procedure without adequate consultation, and imposed it on staff despite our H&S representatives raising serious concerns about it.

RMT is fully opposed to the opening of unattended bags as part of the HOT protocol

Following a bomb in a bag being left on a train at North Greenwich back in 2016 concerns were raised by the RMT about the effectiveness of the HOT protocol. In response meetings were held with LU at which members of LU’s Security team stated that the opening of unattended bags was part of the HOT protocol, something that came as a surprise to everyone except LU’s Security team.

RMT in dispute with LU over uncovered duties

That we note the report from the Lead Officer regarding talks with the company; and that we have had no satisfactory undertaking that duties will be sufficiently covered. It actually appears to be the case that if they could get away with skeleton staffing all stations they would!

This breaching of their own policy and procedure creates undue stress on our members and puts them and the travelling public at risk’ representing a breakdown in trust between the company, their staff and this union.

We therefore instruct the General Secretary to:

RMT in dispute with LU over uncovered duties

That we note the report from the Lead Officer regarding talks with the company; and that we have had no satisfactory undertaking that duties will be sufficiently covered. It actually appears to be the case that if they could get away with skeleton staffing all stations they would!

This breaching of their own policy and procedure creates undue stress on our members and puts them and the travelling public at risk’ representing a breakdown in trust between the company, their staff and this union.

We therefore instruct the General Secretary to: