Jobs/Pay/Justice Dispute

TUBE UNION RMT today called for direct talks with London Mayor Boris Johnson following the breakdown in industrial relations with London Underground and TfL which is at the heart of the overwhelming votes for industrial action confirmed yesterday.

RMT members voted by huge majorities for strike action in separate disputes with LUL and TfL over pay, job losses and working conditions. The union has announced 48 hours of strike action commencing at 18.59 hrs on Tuesday 9th June through to 18.58 hrs on Thursday 11th June.

OFFICIAL CIRCULAR Circular No. IR/171/09 - 28th May 2009

TO ALL BRANCHES AND REPRESENTATIVES ALL UNDERGROUND AND FORMER LT EMPLOYERS

• Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2009, Redundancies and Breach of Agreements – LUL • Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2009, Redundancies – TfL

Dear Colleague,

Below are the personal letters that have been sent to members advising them of the latest position in the two disputes.

“Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2009, Redundancies and Breach of Agreements – LUL

From Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary

Dear Colleague,

I am writing to congratulate members on again returning a magnificent ‘YES’ vote for both strike action and action short of a strike. Members voted by over 5 to 1 to take action despite management’s attempts to bully and intimidate members and their resorting to legislation over negotiation that meant we were unable to use your mandate in the first ballot.

THE TUBE’S biggest union today declared an overwhelming mandate for strike action in ballots of members across London Underground and Transport for London in two separate disputes centred on jobs, pay and working conditions.

On London Underground the result was 2810 for strike action and 488 against. On TfL the result was 60 in favour and 15 against. Separate ballots on action short of a strike showed even higher numbers in favour.

RMT have announced strike action which will commence at 18.59 hours on Tuesday 9th June through to 18.58 hours on Thursday 11th June 2009.

Management would have us believe that all other workers are accepting pay freezes or 'moderate' (tiny) rises. Well, have a look at this list (one-year deals unless otherwise stated):

• Merseyrail drivers: 4.55%, first year of 2-year deal, effective from 30 January 09
• Trico Marine: 7.5%, effective from 1 January 09
• UK Coal: 5%, first year of 3-year deal, effective from 1 January 09
• House of Commons staff: 4.5% consolidated increases, including progression costs, first year of 3-year deal, effective from 1 April 08

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download this leaflet. Read the text below.

Train operators are in for a real treat in the next 2 weeks as centurion managers are released from “normal” duties (whatever they may be) to spend time in train crew mess rooms chatting to you about the strike ballot.

From Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary.

It has come to my notice that LUL management are handing out anti-strike propaganda and asking people to sign for it. This is nothing more than a crude attempt to intimidate people during the current ballot and is both counterproductive and completely unnecessary.

RMT members have already voted for action by a five-to-one majority, but LUL used legal technicalities that would have made no difference to the outcome to stop your union using that democratic mandate.

This letter is from Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary. Click '1 attachment' / file name to download it. Read the text below.

To All Probationers and Apprentices Employed by LUL - Our Ref : LUL/14/2 - 19th May 2009

Dear Colleague,

Current Dispute with London Underground.

As you know we are currently balloting all LUL members for strike action and action short of a strike over the company’s refusal to make a reasonable offer on pay, breaches of long standing agreements and their proposals to make up to 3000 staff redundant.