RMT Recommends Members Reject Bombardier Offer

Submitted by rmtlondon on 14 December, 2013 - 00:51

We note the report from our Regional Organiser, and accordingly, we instruct the General Secretary to hold a referendum of our members with a recommendation to reject the offer, making clear that a vote to reject will lead to a ballot for industrial action should the employer not improve its inadequate offer.

London Transport Regional Council and branches to be advised. LU Fleet branch and our representative on this contract to be advised by personal letter.

RMT Disgust At DLR Carlisle Refusal To Honour Pay Agreement

Submitted by rmtlondon on 14 December, 2013 - 00:48

We note the report from our Regional Organiser and the correspondence from our Docklands Light Railway branch. We share their disgust that Carlisle management is openly reneging on its letter to us of 6 August 2013 by refusing to honour its promised timetable for the incremental increase in pay rates to the level of the London Living Wage (LLW), and refusing to award any pay rise to those members who are currently paid the LLW rate or above.

LUL's Attempts To Solicit Applications For Voluntary Severance 'Potentially Unlawful' Believes RMT

Submitted by rmtlondon on 14 December, 2013 - 00:45

We note the legal advice, that LUL's attempts to solicit applications for Voluntary Severance during the period of consultation on 'Fit For the Future - Stations' is potentially unlawful. A consultation is not genuine if the employer is already implementing the policy that it is supposed to be consulting on! We instruct the General Secretary to write to LUL immediately, insisting that it withdraw all documentation inviting staff to apply for Voluntary Severance until after the consultation is complete.

Fire Brigades Dispute

Submitted by rmtlondon on 14 December, 2013 - 00:41

Further to my Circular NP/300/13 of 31st October 2013 the FBU have announced that a further dispute between them and the Fire Service Employers will take place on Friday 13th December 2013 between 18.00 and 22.00 and on Saturday 14th December 2013 between 18.00 and 22.00. This strike will cover the Greater London area.

Many of you will remain extremely concerned at the health and safety implications for your members, your colleagues and the travelling public should the Fire Brigades Union take strike action. RMT are fully supportive of the FBU stance in this dispute.

RMT Calls For "Constant Vigilance" On Safety 25 Years After Clapham Rail Disaster

Submitted by rmtlondon on 13 December, 2013 - 01:10

Thursday 12 December 2013 will mark 25 years since the Clapham Junction Rail Crash that left 35 people dead and hundreds injured.
The accident happened when the crowded 06:14 train from Poole to London Waterloo crashed into the back of the stationary 07:18 Basingstoke service, which had stopped at a red signal. A third train, travelling empty in the opposite direction, hit the wreckage only minutes later.

Trains Managers Asked To Work As 'Incident Station Supervisors' With 4 Days Training

Submitted by rmtlondon on 13 December, 2013 - 00:40

RMT Regional Organiser John Leach has written to London Underground Human Resources Boss Gerry Duffy in response to a trains operations staff manager asking subordinate managers whether they would be willing to work as 'Incident Station Supervisors' with just a 4 day training course. In Leach's letter to Duffy he explains that he is "extremely concerned with the Health & Safety implications" of this proposal as there is a "rigorous training programme for Station Supervisors."

The request for volunteers asked:

Latest Document Reveals LUL Plan For All Station Staff To Work In Multiple Locations

Submitted by Admin on 12 December, 2013 - 02:59

The RMT have received a document which shows that London Underground bosses plan for all station staff to work across all stations in their area while for 1/3 or 1/4 weeks we will all work as “cover”. Cover will be arranged over several groups meaning some staff could work in a number of stations with longer travelling time to and from work.

The briefing also gives some details about assessments for CSM and CSS roles. It looks as though the assessments will rely on subjective assessments of the suitability of each member.