Attendance and discipline

As members will be aware (Circular No. IR/022/15, 21st January 2015), RMT is currently conducting a campaign against the unfair dismissal of Brother Noel Roberts from London Underground and a further resolution has recently been received from East Ham Branch in relation to this matter, which is as follows:-

Further to my previous Circular (IR/034/15, 29th January 2015) the ballot for strike action has concluded and members are congratulated for returning a ‘yes’ vote and for the excellent support shown despite a massive campaign of misinformation and smears mounted by LU and TfL bosses and the media.

Alex McGuigan was sacked following a flawed alcohol test which we believe resulted in a false result. We balloted for industrial action to defend Alex which resulted in a yes vote for strike.

There are lots of ways that you can help Alex get his job back, and help the union ensure that alcohol testing is fair and robust for all of us on London Underground.

1. Share the facts of the case

View and download the poster below

1 - We believe Alex is innocent

Alex has diabetes which we believe has given a false positive in a random breath test he took when booking on for duty. The RMT has seen evidence that this is possible. If the police breath test you and you fail, they take you back to the police station and you are tested again using much more robust equipment. At LUL once you fail a breath test that is it - sacked after 29 years unblemished service.

DISPUTE WITH KEOLIS/AMEY DOCKLANDS (K.A.D.) (DLR/15/10)

Following my previous Circular (IR/022/15, 21st January 2015), further talks took place with the Company and assurances over the issues in the dispute were received. The General Grades Committee considered this matter and took the decision that, as all our demands have been met, the dispute is resolved and the strike action which was due to commence from Wednesday 28th January was called off.

DISPUTE WITH KEOLIS/AMEY DOCKLANDS (K.A.D.) (DLR/15/10)

Further to my previous Circular No. IR/08/15, 12th January 2015, the ballot has concluded with members voting as follows:-

Are you prepared to take strike action?

Total Votes Cast 486
Number Voting ‘Yes’ 466
Number Voting ‘No’ 18
Spoilt Papers 2

Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?

Total Votes Cast 486

DISMISSAL, N. ROBERTS – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/1)

Further to previous correspondence (Circular No. IR/261/14, 3rd October 2014), members will be aware that RMT is also conducting a campaign against the unfair dismissal of Brother Noel Roberts from London Underground and we have recently received a resolution from East Ham Branch in relation to this matter, which is as follows:-

• TfL Commissioner of Transport Peter Hendy apologises for “inadvertent error during an interview on LBC Radio” where he stated “this is a member of staff who was dismissed for drinking on duty”.
• Urgent meeting called to discuss possible escalation of industrial action

Northern Line tube drivers are to take industrial action on Monday morning (December 1st) to demand the reinstatement of Alex Mcguigan who was sacked as a result of a flawed alcohol test. Alex is a type two diabetic, a condition which can quite often result in a false positive test result for alcohol. This is well documented medically and there is also legal precedent supporting his case. Because of this his test ought to have been followed by a confirmation urine test to ascertain whether his illness had in fact influenced the test, resulting in a false positive.

DISMISSAL – A. MCGUIGAN – TRAIN OPERATOR – MORDEN, LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/1)

Further to previous Circular No. IR/282/14, 23rd October 2014, the ballot has concluded and the result is as follows:-

Question: Are you prepared to take strike action?

Total Votes Cast… 58
Number Voting ‘Yes’… 45
Number Voting ‘No’… 13
Spoilt Papers… 0