RMT official circulars

from General Secretary Bob Crow

With reference to the above, I am aware that ASLEF representatives and officials around the country have apparently been asserting that they can organise and represent grades other than Drivers in Train Operating Companies and have been recruiting such staff, including existing RMT members.

Pro forma is attached below

By now most of you will have received a copy of an expression of interest form circulated by LUL asking Drivers to give their preferences for working additional shifts over the Olympic period, in breach of our framework agreements. This form claims its distribution has been agreed with the Trade Unions whereas only ASLEF has agreed. RMT continues to be in discussions with LUL over our claims for Olympic recognition and reward.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

RMT attended talks at ACAS with London Underground yesterday about Olympics working. Unfortunately, instead of going forward from the last wording agreed, management tried to change it by adding qualifications that appeared designed to tie us to agreements made by other unions. RMT could not accept this.

PENSION AND PASSES – TUBE LINES

The strike action taken since Tuesday in this dispute has been rock solid and members are to be congratulated for your solid support and determination in our ongoing campaign for pension and passes justice.

From General Secretary Bob Crow

The following changes to Employment Tribunal procedure came into effect on the 6th April 2012.

• From 1st April increases in Statutory Maternity,Paternity,Additional Paternity, Adoption Pay and Maternity Allowance from £128.73 to £135.45 per week.
• Increase in the qualifying period required to bring a claim for Unfair Dismissal or Request a written statement of reasons from 1 to 2 years.

From General Secretary Bob Crow

I write to advise you that the Government yet again are proposing changes to the CICS that if implemented will affect the compensation that our members currently receive when attacked at work or when they experience a suicide on the railways. It is currently proposed to abolish the lower tariff bands of the Compensation Criminal Injury Scheme (CICS), this move will remove from eligibility the majority of our members injured as a result of criminal violence during the course of their work.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Further to my previous circular NP 013/12 dated 24th January 2012, please find enclosed links to the bulletins issued by the TUC for Workers’ Memorial Day. The bulletins are designed to help you mobilise and organise around various issues affecting the Health & Safety of our members. The next three in the series are entitled; Compensation under Threat, Occupational Disease a time bomb the Government ignores and Union Health & Safety Representatives.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

I am writing to advise you of a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court which will effect many of the 2,500 people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.

The Supreme Court upheld an appeal brought by Unite the Union and rejected arguments by insurance companies which would have denied compensation to victims of the terminal disease mesothelioma.

Judges in the country’s highest court agreed that the insurers of an employer at the time of the exposure to asbestos should pay compensation.

Here is the latest circular official from General Secretary Bob Crow (LUL/22/2)

As you may be aware, we have been in negotiations with London Underground over Olympic Recognition and Reward. The company’s offer has been considered by your General Grades Committee and has been rejected as it compares less favourably with deals achieved such as London Overground and Network Rail. Please find attached a copy of the offer.