LU Fleet branch

Includes fleet maintenance staff employed by Metronet and TubeLines

London Underground Fleet Maintenance Staff Announce Action Over Safety-Critical Cuts

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed this morning that following a massive vote for action London Underground fleet maintenance staff members have been instructed to work only to process instructions (vehicle maintenance instructions), not to carry out higher grade working and not to cooperate with staff movements away from home locations. This action will commence from 00.01 hours on Tuesday 26th October 2010 and will have a major impact.

Worn Brake Blocks Show Folly of Maintenance Cuts

These photo is of brake blocks on the District Line that had worn away before train maintainers found them on a scheduled inspection after 14 days. London Underground wants to extend the period between maintenance checks to 28 days so that they can get rid of fleet staff. Trains with brake blocks worn like this could remain in service for a further 14 days, which will almost certainly lead to a serious accident.

RMT has released this picture to the press.

Massive Vote For Action By London Underground Fleet Maintenance Staff Over Safety-Critical Cuts

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed this morning that London Underground fleet maintenance staff have voted by 88% in favour of industrial action short of a strike over safety-critical cuts that have ripped up tube maintenance schedules leaving brakes and other equipment in a lethal state of disrepair.

Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service 2010 – Alstom Metro Trains

Following on from negotiations late last night the following improved offer has been considered by your General Grades Committee:-

  • 2% increase on basic pay
  • Travel assistance will be increased to 100% up to a value of £1300 for two years at which time it will be reviewed in April 2012
  • Low paid workers will receive an increase in their basic salary of £750 for 2010. Low paid is considered to be under £20,000

Overtime Ban Hits Fleet

RMT's overtime ban is affecting the District Line fleet. No shunter on days at Ealing Common depot means no trains available for changeovers and problems with some service trains and football trains tomorrow.

Support Alstom Workers' Fight Against Real-Terms Pay Cut!

An RMT member at Alstom writes ...

Alstom is a multinational engineering company that was invited to supply and then maintain trains on the London Underground Northern and Jubilee Lines under that last Tory government. They were the first private company in the underground and may be the last one. Conditions in Alstom have declined massively in the past year, with the employer using severe disciplinary methods against staff for increasingly minor offences.

Tube Maintenance Strike Rock Solid

Tube union RMT said this morning that a strike of Alstom tube maintenance staff on the Jubilee and Northern Line's that began at 19.00 last night is rock solid. Pickets have been out in force at all three Alstom tube maintenance depots.

RMT has received reports this morning of disruption and delays to south bound Northern Line services on the northern section of the Edgware branch during rush hour.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

Alstom Workers Vote for Action for Decent Pay

Are you prepared to take strike action?

  • Total Votes Cast...86
  • Number Voting Yes...74
  • Number Voting No...10
  • Spoilt Papers...2
  • (Yes vote is 88% of valid vote = 8:1 majority)

Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?

  • Total Votes Cast...86
  • Number Voting Yes...81
  • Number Voting No...4
  • Spoilt Papers...1
  • (Yes vote is 95% of valid vote = 22:1 majority)

Tube Fleet Maintenance Staff To Be Balloted For Action as London Underground Doubles Time Between Crucial Safety Inspections

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that it is preparing a ballot for action of all tube fleet maintenance staff following an announcement by London Underground that they plan to double the length of time between safety-critical train inspections from 14 days to 28 days.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “Hardly a day goes by now without TfL and LU getting caught out playing fast and loose with staff and passenger safety. These fortnightly inspections identify worn brake blocks, cracks in securing brackets and other distressed components. Moving these inspections to monthly is literally dicing with death in the interests of saving money.

RMT Circular: Maintenance Optimisation

Official circular - MAINTENANCE OPTIMISATION - LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/15/4/)

Dear Colleagues,

A resolution was received from LU Fleet about an alarming policy change by management over the maintenance regime on trains. This was placed before the General Grade Committee who have made the following decision:-