When negotiations fail, RMT members take action
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.
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
From RMT official circular 138/09, dated 21st April 2009
Members will recall that earlier in the year the union suspended proposed strike action in relation to the above dispute to facilitate discussions under the auspices of ACAS.
Regrettably, these discussions have failed to resolve the issue that has led to the dispute, namely management’s decision to implement new rosters which will remove the 12 hour weekend shifts replacing them with 8 hour shifts, thus creating a situation where members in the Control Room will lose 24 rest days per annum.
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.
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
Happily, the industrial action between Wednesday 8th April and Thursday 9th April 2009 was a success.
Particular thanks go to the many managers who somehow found time in their “busy and demanding schedules” to keep seats warm at various stations. As a result, this freed staff taking industrial action to:
· Hand out thousands of leaflets to thousands of travelling customers informing them of the harassment, intimidation and bullying to which staff on the Willesden Green Group are subject.
BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS SEVEN SISTERS DEPOT - LUL
Are you prepared to take strike action?
Number Voting Yes 82 Number Voting No 17
Venue: ex-Services Club, Harvey Road, Leytonstone - map here.
A short workshop for RMT reps and activists, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to ensure that strike action is as effective as possible in your workplace.
Following an overwhelmimg yes vote for Industrial action and London Undergrounds refusal to invite the Equality and Human Rights Commission to investigate Managements discriminatory and abusive treatment of our members, a strike has been called as follows:
Members are not to book-on for any turns of duty that commence between 18.59 Hours on Wednesday 8th April and 18.58 Hours on Thursday 9th April 2009.