TfL Olympics Strike Action

RMT members working directly for Transport for London will be taking strike action from 0659 Friday 3rd August until 0700 Saturday 4th August over the total and abject failure of the organisation to offer any kind of recognition and reward for the increase in workload and pressure arising from the extended Olympics period and for attempting to impose changes to working conditions and a unilateral ban on annual leave in some departments.

Station Minimum Numbers

To help keep track of what minimum numbers for stations should be please see the attached figures.

RMT members on LU are currently in dispute about ICSA's being used as minimum numbers.

If you have concerns that a station isn't safely staffed, please contact the local rep - or if you don't know who that is we can find out for you. Just email us at info@rmtlondoncalling.org.uk

RMT To Ballot Heathrow Express Contractors For Industrial Action Over Pay

RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that it is preparing to ballot cleaning, facilities and asset management and mechanical engineering staff on Heathrow Express for both strike action and action short of a strike in a dispute over pay.

The staff are employed by contractors Amey Rail, BAA, who own Heathrow Express and Amey, are all part of Ferrovial.

RMT Demands Urgent Investigation Into Tube Maintenance Cuts As Central Line Reduced To Chaos This Morning

TUBE UNION RMT this morning demanded an immediate investigation into the real impact of cuts to fleet maintenance schedules, and specifically brake inspections and renewals, as it began to emerge that the likely cause of the Central Line shutdown during this morning’s Olympics morning peak was defective brakes seizing up.

Although RMT is awaiting the outcome of the investigation into the incident it is reported that the driver saw smoke billowing from the tunnel at Leyton and noticed a strong smell of burning.

Keep Stations And The Underground Safe During The Olympics

from RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Following consultation with our lead officer and representatives, we instruct all London Underground members to take action short of strike action starting at 00:01 on Friday 27 July and continuing until further notice, as follows:

  • All members to not co-operate in any way with the counting of Incident Customer Service Assistants (ICSAs) towards the minimum number of staff on duty for a station to be open to passengers.
  • Members acting as ICSAs to withdraw from the station and refuse to be counted

Olympic Special Stations And Revenue Newsletter

The deal secured by your union guarantees the existing protection of the framework agreement. The RMT alone argued that we were already being asked to work hard enough without selling any hard won protection for a few quid. If you feel that you have been asked to work outside of this agreement or been treated unfavourably then advise your local RMT rep who will take it up immediately . Remember that the framework agreement is there for a reason, it protects our safety, welfare and future at work.You have a right and a responsibility to refuse any duty which breaks that agreement. Only a fool breaks the twelve hour rule.

...continue reading or download the newsletter below.

DLR And Tube Cleaners Solid In Support Of Strike Action In Fight For Fairness On Olympics Payments

Transport union RMT said today that DLR and tube cleaners working for Initial, ISS and Carlisle are rock solid in their support for strikes that started this morning for fair pay and Olympics recognition and reward.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said;

"On the opening day of the Games the many millions enjoying the events around the globe must not forget the London transport cleaners on minimum pay rates doing some of the dirtiest jobs in often appalling conditions with no Olympics recognition and reward whatsoever.

The Agency Workers Regulations And The Swedish Derogation

According to the TUC, the Swedish Derogation is: “an option written into the EU Temporary Agency Work Directive that allows member States to insert a provision into their transposing legislation that says that where an agency worker is directly employed by an agency they are not protected by the equal treatment provisions in the Directive. The UK Regulations, which come into force in October, make use of the “Swedish” derogation.