News, reports and information for London Underground train drivers
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
We note that Jayesh Patel has accepted reinstatement to his substantive role as a train driver from February 2012. We note that this is a huge reduction in the sanction initially imposed on him by London Underground.
We also note that London Underground has agreed to reinstate James Masango, but that the terms of this reinstatement are still under discussion.
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
That we note the report from our Regional Organiser on his discussions with London Underground management prior to the result of our ballot for industrial action.
We instruct the General Secretary to obtain a report on the progress of this dispute.
London Transport Regional Council and branches with London Underground members to be advised.
LONDON UNDERGROUND intends to halve the frequency of maintenance on trains on the Metropolitan Line despite a manufacturer’s report which reveals that the safety implications of doing so have not been considered, the Tube’s biggest union reveals today.
TUBE UNION RMT today warned that London Underground are on the verge of plunging the Capitals tube system into the same lethal cocktail of safety cuts and automation that led to nine people being killed on the Washington DC Red Line service just over two years ago.
Today, the TFL Board will discuss a document entitled London Underground's operational vision, which flags up a future of driverless trains and destaffing of platforms and stations to save money.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow has written about London Underground's 'Operational Vision' in The Guardian. The plans could see all ticket offices closed by 2016, trains without drivers introduced and maintenance regimes reduced.
The TfL board will discuss the 'Operational Vision' this week, which predicts trains without drivers and the closure of all ticket offices by 2016.
A document has been released detailing the agenda of the meeting. It says "Given the technology available now, it is very unlikely that, after the procurement of the trains for the Sub Surface Lines, LU will ever again buy a fleet of passenger trains with conventional drivers’ cabs."
The document also makes note of stations saying that ticket office need will decrease and staff will need to become more 'flexible.'
The TfL board will discuss the 'Operational Vision' tomorrow November 2nd 2011, which predicts trains without drivers and the closure of all ticket offices by 2016.
Brown says "Given the technology available now, it is very unlikely that, after the procurement of the trains for the Sub Surface Lines, LU will ever again buy a fleet of passenger trains with conventional drivers’ cabs."
In the last two days, two RMT tube drivers have been reinstated. This is the latest of several RMT members to be reinstated following unfair dismissals.
The following resolution was put to the RMT train grades committee:
"This train grades committee notes the election of Brian Munro to the trains funcional council and Gary Fitzpatrick to the trains safety council.
This committee sincerely thanks our outgoing reps Bill O'Dowd and Dave Rayfield for their sterling work on behalf of all train drivers on the combine."
Carried unanimously.
Young members activist and victimised driver Jayesh Patel reached a settlement with London Underground yesterday at ACAS.