Alstom

The new issue of our 'RMT London Calling' newsletter asks how it is that TfL/LUL 'can't afford' frontline jobs and regular maintenance, but can afford massive salaries for directors. It also reports on the Alstom pay dispute, Euston escalator fire, Northern line runaway train and other issues, and replies in detail to last week's London Underground management bulletin about our industrial action ballot result.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download it.

Are you prepared to take strike action?

• Total Votes Cast...86
• Number Voting Yes...74
• Number Voting No...10
• Spoilt Papers...2
• (Yes vote is 88% of valid vote = 8:1 majority)

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

• Total Votes Cast...86
• Number Voting Yes...81
• Number Voting No...4
• Spoilt Papers...1
• (Yes vote is 95% of valid vote = 22:1 majority)

The Regional Council Secretary wrote to all branches, asking for their assessment of their branch’s work during 2009, and suggesting that they might address the following points:
- whether your membership grew or shrunk during 2009, and why you think this is
- any problems you have had filling reps’ positions within the branch’s area
- how effective your branch was during any industrial action in your area last year
- what recruitment activities you have organised

• TfL
• Alstom
• London Underground engineering workers (ex-Metronet)
• London Underground "summit"
• EDF

This is an official RMT circular - IR/32/10 dated 26th of January 2010, from General Secretary Bob Crow.

You would have heard that agreement was reached with Alstom late on 26th January which enabled the Union to call off all industrial action as previously advised. Members have been asked to now work normally.

We now have a sound pay structure that brings significant improvements in pay with immediate effect.

Please find the following Important Safety Information from the Regional Organiser

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR JUBILEE LINE DRIVERS

Dear Colleagues,

We need to advise you that Jubilee Line train maintainers at Stratford Market Depot, Neasden and Stanmore will be taking industrial action for 24 hours from 19.29 hours on Wednesday 24th January. This will be repeated the following Sunday to Monday, and every Sunday/Monday for three months.

Their dispute is due to the fact that their Northern Line counterparts get paid considerably more money for doing the exact same job.

This dispute could have serious implications for the safety of the trains that will be offered for service during and following the industrial action.

Strike action has been cancelled. Update here

Alstom members at Stratford Market Depot voted one hundred per cent in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike in order to attain pay harmonisation with Alstom emplyeees at other locations on LU.

The first 24 Hour Strike will now take place between 19.29 Hours on Wednesday 27th January and 19.28 hours on Thursday 28th January 2010. Until further notice strike action will continue from Sunday evening until Monday morning.

Read the full story to see the official RMT circular

Ballots have concluded for the Willesden Green Group, Alstom staff at Stratford Depot, EDF employees and the drivers at Hammersmith & City Depot.

Alstom, EDF and Willesden Green Group members all voted a resounding YES for both strike action and action short of a strike. The Hammersmith & City Depot dispute was resolved and therefore the ballot cancelled.

See the full article for the circular from Bob Crow, General Secretary

Today RMT began balloting four separate groups of members for industrial action in four separate localised trade disputes:

• EDF Energy Powerlink
• LU Hammersmith and City Depot Drivers
• Straford Market Depot - Alstom Metro Trains
• LUL Willesden Green Group

RMT has also today served notice on London Underground for a ballot of staff over pay and conditions with the ballot closing on Monday 21st December.