London Underground Job Cuts Dispute 2010-11

Aftermath of the King's Cross fire

TUBE UNION RMT is to leaflet rush-hour passengers at Euston station this Wednesday morning over cuts to safety and safety-critical jobs following revelations that fire detection systems at the station failed last month creating the potential for a major disaster that was only avoided by the actions of a vigilant member of station staff.

RMT also confirmed today that it has written to London Underground requesting that all fire detection equipment at sub-surface stations be inspected within the next 72 hours under Section 12 Fire Regulations which were introduced after Kings Cross.

We have received the following message ...

Finsbury Park branch has written an open letter to all ASLEF members working at Arnos Grove and Seven Sisters depots explaining the reasons for the RMT strike ballot and asking them to support any action which we may take in defence of jobs, health and safety, and working conditions. It is a call for shopfloor unity and solidarity at a time when it is desperately needed if we are to successfully defeat LUL's savage cost-cutting plans. Click on the attachment to download a copy.

TUBE UNION RMT today condemned a threat by London Underground to rip up an existing agreement on job protection as “blatant intimidation and provocation of members who are currently balloting for action over tube safety and the threat to 800 station-based staff posts.”

Gerry Duffy, LU’s Director of Employee Relations, has written to both RMT and TSSA, who are also balloting for action, demanding that the current democratic votes of members be halted or he will tear up negotiated agreements and procedures – paving the way for a jobs massacre across the tube that would impact on all staff and all unions

In April, RMT's London Transport Regional Council wrote to disabled people's organisations as part of our 'SOS: Staff Our Stations' campaign, alerting them to London Underground's planned job cuts and the difficulties that these will cause to disabled passengers. You can read our letter here. Several organisations representing disabled people have now sent the following letter to Mayor Boris Johnson, opposing the job cuts.

Dear Mr Johnson,

Stratford Number One branch have released their latest newsletter.

It contains information about LU's attack on jobs, with the reasons why all grades including train operators need to support the ballot for action against these cuts.

Click 'Read More' to see the full newsletter.

"I wanted to protest vigorously at the planned cut of staff at Warwick Avenue Station.

"This very busy station is important to all its users- tourists, locals, business people travelling at peak times. It has been the target of many incidents prevented by the attendance of its vigilant and kind staff

"I feel that it is important to keep it adequately staffed at all times."

Ann Futter

You will shortly be receiving a ballot paper to your home address over the massive job cuts that LUL Management are planning. These disastrous cuts will result in detrimental working conditions and seriously undermine safety of staff and the travelling public.

The dangerous consequences of having 800 fewer staff have driven LUL to propose crazy safety changes so that drivers self despatch trains. Many of you will have heard the ludicrous idea of driverless trains being spread about in the media.

All grades will be affected by these savage job cuts which are only the beginning of LUL’s attempt to cut costs and we must fight them together.

Whatever your grade, there are (at least) ten reasons why you should vote Yes to strikes and Yes to action short of strikes in RMT's ballot. The Regional Council has produced a leaflet for members in each grade reminding you of these ten reasons. Click on the links below to download the leaflets for ...

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download this as a 2-page leaflet.

1. Because these job cuts will be a disaster for all of us - every grade of station staff; other grades of Underground workers; and passengers too.

2. Because LU management are not listening to your union reps in talks. Industrial action will make them listen.

3. Because management have not given you a chance to vote on whether you want job cuts. RMT is giving you that chance - this is your opportunity to show your opposition to de-staffing of stations, offices and depots.