RMT official circulars

Circulars from RMT head office about issues in our region

USE OF FINGER PRINTING TO BOOK ON – ISS (LU CONTRACT)

From Bob Crow, General Secretary

Further to my last letter, it has been brought to my attention that ISS has displayed posters at some workplace locations, demonstrating how to use the new Biometric Fingerprinting Machines for booking on for duty. This situation is unacceptable to your union and I am writing to reassure members that you have our full support.

RMT Ballots Cleaner Members Over Fingerprinting

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

I wrote to you last week concerning our dispute with ISS over their planned introduction of Fingerprinting technology to book on for duty. We see this technology as an invasion of your civil liberties and a threat to your jobs. It now appears that management are planning to impose this new Biometric fingerprinting process from early March 2014 so your union’s executive has considered this matter further and decided to call a ballot of all members for strike action. Preparations are under way to hold this ballot in the near future.

TfL Members To Cease Training Of Agency Workers

Further to my previous correspondence, I would like to congratulate you for supporting your union and taking industrial action, in defence of your pension. This attack on your pension is clearly intolerable and represents the future strategy of TfL management and is a threat to all members in the pension fund regardless of company or grade.

In order to put pressure on the company your Executive committee after consulting with your representatives has decided to call the following industrial action:-

Tube Strike Ballot To Run Until January 2014

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

As every LUL member must now be aware London Underground has announced the closure of ALL ticket offices by as early as 2015 and the subsequent loss of 750 jobs. Despite this Government’s and the Mayor of London’s claim they wish more use of public transport they are cutting LU’s budget by £33m for 2013-14, and £45m for 2014-15. And this despite January’s 4.2% increase in fares across the tube, buses and trams.

RMT’s Charles Watkins’ Memorial Lecture 2014

RMT’s guest speaker to deliver this year’s Charles Watkins’ Memorial Lecture will be Labour historian Francis Devine who will be talking on the 1913 Dublin Lockout. For more background information click here.

This promises to provide an interesting lecture and discussion following on from a series of events that will have taken place commemorating the centenary of the lockout.

This free event will be held at Unity House and refreshments will also be provided.

Huber Ballesteros – Help Needed To Secure His Release From Detention

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Huber Ballesteros is a high-profile Colombian trade union leader. He sits on the Executive Committee of Central Unitaria de Trabajdores de Colombia (CUT is Colombia's largest trade union federation) as well as being Vice President of FENSUAGRO Agricultural Workers' Union.

In an attempt to intimidate him into silence and inactivity, Huber was recently arrested and remains in detention. He must be promptly released, though even when that does occur, he – together with his family and his fellow trade unionists – will remain in danger.

Representation At Occupational Health Appointments

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Concerns have been raised with the union by our representatives that members are not automatically allowed representation at Occupational Health Appointments. This case has been considered by the General Grades Committee and our Lead Officers have been gathering up to date information from the companies with which we have recognition.

The General Grades Committee have noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

Thales Transport And Security Section Of The Railways Pension Scheme

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

I refer to my previous Circular NP/205/13, 5th August 2013, please be advised that Thales managements proposal to increase member contributions midway through a triennial valuation has been rejected by the Railways Pension Scheme Trustee Board.

This is clearly good news for all members of the Thales Pension Scheme who were affectively facing a pay cut had managements shameful proposal been accepted by the trustees. In consideration your General Grades Committee made the following decision on 10th October 2013: