Article for Labour Briefing

Submitted by Janine on 18 February, 2011 - 16:22

I have written this short article for Labour Briefing:

On 6 February, despite strong opposition from trade unions and passengers, London Underground completed its cut of 800 jobs from its stations. It slashed ticket office opening hours and removed staff from around the stations, leaving safety and security compromised and passengers without the help they need. Private-sector-run upgrades are seeing repeated failures, and maintenance regimes are being slashed.

London Underground: RMT Pay Claim 2011

Submitted by Admin on 18 February, 2011 - 11:17

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download RMT's pay claim submitted to London Underground. The first section, the text of which is below, is also being submitted by TSSA and Unite. We hope that this united approach from three of LU's unions will improve our prospects of securing an acceptable offer.

1. A substantial pay award in a one-year deal

MPs Back Our Fight for Reinstatement of Reps

Submitted by Janine on 17 February, 2011 - 22:37

“I am appalled that London Underground are refusing to reinstate Arwyn Thomas and Eamonn Lynch, when the Employment Tribunal has already ruled that their dismissal was discriminatory because of their trade union activities. It is vital that we stand up for our local trade union reps who are in the frontline of protecting workers interests and I fully support the RMT’s political and industrial campaign for justice for Arwyn and Eamonn.”
Jeremy Corbyn MP, Islington North

RMT slams latest Government “Bad Bosses Charter”

Submitted by Peter on 17 February, 2011 - 15:44

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today launched an all out attack on the latest “Bad Bosses Charter” pumped out by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills that will allow employers to harass and bully employees staff without any comeback.

The “Employers Charter”, issued by BIS through their Business Link agency, sets out an agenda for attacking workers and paves the way for dumping staff on the dole with impunity. The Charter allows bosses to:

  • Drive through redundancies and dismissals without any meaningful consultation
  • Make pay cuts and pressure staff to work longer hours

Government publishes bosses’ charter – another reason to join the demo on March 26

Submitted by Janine on 17 February, 2011 - 13:31

Government publishes ‘Employer’s charter’: warning: this is not a joke

The government has just published what it calls the ‘Employers’ Charter’ You will see this tells the bosses how they can:

  • Drive through redundancies and dismissals
  • Make pay cuts and pressure you to work longer hours
  • Harass women on maternity leave to return to work
  • Restrict your annual leave and pressure workers to take early retirement

Strike action over victimised tube drivers off to allow for talks and for fresh ballot of all tube drivers

Submitted by Janine on 17 February, 2011 - 12:44

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that strike action on the Bakerloo and Northern Line’s, scheduled to run from Sunday to Monday evening over the victimisation and sacking of two drivers, has been called off to allow for ACAS talks and to pave the way for a ballot for action of all London Underground drivers.

RMT had also received a threat from the employers to dash to the Court’s under the cloak of the anti-trade union laws.

It’s time to stand up and fight for Eamonn and Arwyn

Submitted by Joffe on 16 February, 2011 - 22:20

Click on the 'attachment' to see the February edition of 'RMT Up Front', the newsletter from the RMT train grades on London Underground. Full story follows:

It’s time to stand up and fight for Eamonn and Arwyn
If we tolerate these sackings, you might be next

Drivers on the Bakerloo and Northern Lines have already taken strike action to overturn the sackings of their workmates. The RMT is now looking to escalate the action across every depot in the combine. Below are the reasons why:

RMT joins international condemnation of any attack on trade unions in Egypt

Submitted by Admin on 14 February, 2011 - 16:10

Commenting on news reports that the Egyptian military might attempt to ban strikes or trade union meetings that might lead to them, RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“Any attempt to ban strikes and trade union activities in Egypt would be a huge step backwards and RMT fully supports the international trade union condemnation of any such moves.

Email to Egyptian Embassy: Don't ban strikes and workers' meetings

Submitted by Janine on 14 February, 2011 - 14:57

I have today sent the following email to the Egyptian Embassy, eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg

I have today read in the media (for example, here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/us-egypt-idUSTRE70O3UW20110214...) that Egypt’s military authorities are planning to issue an order banning workers’ meetings and strikes. If this is true, I wish to register the strongest possible objection.