News, reports and information for London Underground train drivers
Drivers on the Victoria line made history on Wednesday, 22nd April, by completely closing the line for the first time ever. A rock solid strike by RMT drivers, supported by a majority of their ASLEF colleagues, succeeded in completely closing the line for 24 hours.
Victoria line drivers held a solid day of strike action, with not a single train running all day Wednesday.
The drivers took action to demand the reinstatement of sacked workmate Carl Campbell (pictured) as well as the installation of Correct Side Door Enabling equipment, and an end to managers' mistreatment of staff, especially RMT branch chair Glenroy Watson.
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HMRI have written to LU raising serious concerns about the safety of the Cross Track Projection system (XTP). The railway inspectorate has told LU what your safety reps have been telling them for the past 6 months: that XTP is a distraction to drivers and is just not safe! When this system was first consulted upon, CBS gave assurances to safety reps that the system would turn off before the train entered the platform. A catalogue of lies, excuses and U-turns later, we are in the position where by the projector stays on constantly in many locations. This, as we have told LU management many times, causes a serious distraction to the driver at a time when they should be concentrating on the PTI, the combine’s greatest risk. As our concerns have been ignored we can only assume that the revenue received outweighs any risk involved.
RMT Regional Organiser Steve Hedley has written the following open letter to London Underground's Employee Relations Director, Gerry Duffy ...
Dear Gerry,
Victoria Line Dispute – Request for Negotiations
RMT press release, issued today ...
The RMT said today that the 24 hour strike on the Victoria Line, starting at 9pm this evening, is “rock solid” after management refused last minute talks to resolve the dispute over passenger door safety and the bullying and victimization of RMT members.
LUL confirmed in announcements to commuters at main terminals this morning that the Victoria Line will be closed down from tonight and RMT expects a knock on effect over health and safety concerns that will impact on the Picadilly Line.
Steve Hedley, RMT Regional Organiser, writes ...
After meeting with Gerry Duffy and LU management yesterday, very little progress was made.
1 We asked for an immediate directors review for Carl Campbell which Mr Duffy turned down. We are of course still available to meet Mr Duffy up until nine o'clock tonight when the action commences to seek a resolution.
Today, Victoria Line drivers are striking. One reason for this is that London Underground will not install safety equipment that stops doors opening on the wrong side of the train.
The safety implications are obvious. How often have you or your children been on a crowded train jammed against a door? If this door opens unexpectedly, you could be seriously injured or even killed.
Members at the depot can be rightly proud of the massive YES VOTE that has been returned in order to redress some serious injustices and points of issue that management have been ignoring which affect your day to day job. This is despite a massive effort to spread false information and attempt to undermine the democratic process. Let’s remind ourselves of the issues that we are asking you to take strike action over because there is a good chance that management will put a big effort in to persuade you the issues don’t exist!
1. REINSTATE CARL CAMPBELL
BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS SEVEN SISTERS DEPOT - LUL
Are you prepared to take strike action?
Number Voting Yes 82 Number Voting No 17
Victoria line management sack another driver – Jamie Witchell – sacked for trying to steal a laptop and not following lost property procedures (?)