Dear Colleagues,

IMPOSITION OF NIGHT TUBE DUTIES, TRAIN OPERATORS - LONDON UNDERGROUND

Further to my previous correspondence regarding the above dispute, I am writing to update members on developments in this dispute and on talks that have taken place with London Underground.

Over the past two weeks your RMT negotiators have made the case to the company that they could recommend suspension of the strike action if management would step back from their current proposals and halt the demands being placed on Train Operators. Your union put forward a proposition for a cost-neutral alternative to be given an opportunity to work and trialed. Unfortunately, this was rejected outright, and it has become clearer that this dispute is all about management cutting costs regardless of the impact of staff and the services they operate.

The anger at the company's approach towards members in this dispute has been compounded by their cynical last-ditch attempt to use the Covid-19 pandemic to bully and blackmail staff. You are the same front-line staff who have put yourselves at personal risk since the pandemic began nearly two years ago. It is tube drivers who have played such an important role in keeping London moving and will continue to do so - it is disgraceful that management have chosen the moment that it looks like we are coming out of the pandemic to rip-up agreements, abolish 200 positions, and sought to compel drivers to carry out Night Tube duties.

At a meeting of all LUL Trains Reps last night, considering the unreasonable attitude of management to your union's proposals, it was the unanimous view that the strike action should proceed as planned:

ALL TRAIN OPERATORS AND INSTRUCTOR OPERATORS ON THE CENTRAL AND VICTORIA LINES are instructed not to book on for any shifts that commence between:

• 20:30 hours on Friday 17th December 2021 and 04:29 hours on Saturday 18th December 2021.

In addition to the above action, the following strike action has also been called:

ALL TRAIN OPERATORS AND INSTRUCTOR OPERATORS ON THE CENTRAL, JUBILEE, NORTHERN, PICCADILLY & VICTORIA LINES are instructed not to book on for any shifts that commence between: -

• 04:30 hours on Saturday 18th December 2021 and 04:29 hours on Sunday 19th December 2021.

You and your colleagues have shown great solidarity and support for your union and for each other during this dispute which is caused real pressure to bear on the company. We must continue to stand united in refusing to accept London Underground's imposition of Night Tube duties and carry on sending the clear message that members will not be walked over.

I trust this keeps you fully advised on the matter and I will, of course, update you on any further developments.

STAND FIRM TOGETHER

SUPPORT THE STRIKE ACTION

Yours sincerely,

Michael Lynch
General Secretary