Defending jobs

We welcome the correspondence from ASLEF and TSSA agreeing to seek a joint approach to protecting London Underground staffing levels for the duration of the current pay settlement. We instruct the General Secretary to arrange an early meeting with ASLEF and TSSA on this matter, and to press Unite for a response. This issue to be placed back in front of us with a report of this meeting, and in the event of any other development.

London Transport Regional Council and branches with London Underground members to be advised.

RMT COMMENT ON POLL SHOWING FEAR OF VIOLENCE ON LONDON TRANSPORT

Today, the End Violence Against Women coalition has published the results of a YouGov survey showing that 28% of women and 15% of men do not feel safe travelling on London transport at all times of the day and night.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the correspondence from London Underground Ltd, which fails to give the assurances that this union asked for, that current staffing establishment levels are protected and maintained over at least the period of the current pay deal. Instead, LUL has offered only vague phrase-mongering about “continuity of employment”, and made even this conditional on “common sense flexibility and cooperation to adapt to reasonable changes”. Experience tells us that this indicates LUL’s intention to cut staffing levels and attack working conditions.

RMT calls Budget “Day of Action” over rail carve up and slams train operators for using increased rail demand as excuse for higher fares

RAIL UNION RMT announced today it is holding a Budget “Day of Action” over Government plans to axe thousands of jobs, close ticket offices, jack up fares and give the train operating companies “gold plated” franchises as it implements the McNulty Rail Review recommendations.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the resolution from our Finsbury Park branch. We agree with our branch that staffing levels on London Underground stations are deplorably low, and that there is a specific problem with gateline staffing at Wood Green station. We note that negotiations have failed to resolve this matter, and that the branch now wishes to ballot members on Arnos Grove group of stations for action short of strikes with a view to calling an overtime ban.

ON THE EVE of the expected publication of a Government Command Paper on their future plans for rail, RMT has warned that Ministers are preparing to wind back the clock to the days of the Hatfield and Potters Bar disasters and bring in private ownership of rail infrastructure for the first time since the collapse of Railtrack.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note with great concern the report from our Regional Organiser and representatives that London Underground has imposed a change to the rules and procedures for station access, removing responsibility and control from Station Supervisors for allowing access for people working on stations.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the correspondence from London Underground following the meeting at which RMT made our objections to the planned reduction in frequency of tripcock testing.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the resolution from our London Transport Regional Council and share its determination to protect members’ jobs and London Underground staffing levels. London Underground has already cut staffing levels to dangerously low levels, and should be considering increasing rather than further cutting them.

We instruct the General Secretary to ensure that the points outlined in the resolution have been raised with London Underground, and to place a report in front of us of the company’s response.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note that London Underground plans to reorganise the planning, analysis and reporting of asset information within its Asset Performance Directorate, which will lead to job cuts and possible relocation and displacements of members. The company has presented a large volume of material to us about these plans.