Circulars from RMT head office about issues in our region
This action is suspended - more detail here.
From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow>
EVERY JOB MATTERS - DEFENDING JOBS ON LONDON UNDERGROUND
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 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.
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.
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:
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:
That we note the ballot results are as follows:-
STRIKE ACTION
Total votes cast .......59...........
Number voting “Yes” ........53...........
Number voting “No” ........06..........
Spoilt Papers ........00...........
ACTION SHORT OF STRIKE ACTON
Total votes cast .......59...........
Number voting “Yes” ........56...........
Number voting “No” ........03..........
Spoilt Papers ........00...........
From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow
Our East Ham Branch submitted the following resolution:-
This circular is from RMT General Secretary Bob Crow
The following resolution was adopted at the 2012 National Conference of Station and Associated Grades concerning fatigue. Subsequently, the General Grades Committee adopted the following report from the GGC Health & Safety Sub-committee:
“That we note the resolution from our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades 2012.
From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow
The Law Commission is currently reviewing all legislation relating to taxi and private hire vehicles. Whilst this review, which officials claim is designed to simplify the legislation, could potentially deregulate the industry and as such is a threat to members’ livelihoods, it also presents us with a number of opportunities.
The interim statement of the Law Commission does not commit to legally defining plying for hire, however, it does acknowledge that a two-tier system must remain in place.