Government Attack On Transport Budgets means Crossrail, High Speed, Electrification And Tube Upgrades Under Threat

Submitted by Peter on 24 May, 2010 - 11:23

With the new ConDem government kicking off its cuts programme today, transport union RMT warned this morning that key transport projects, including Crossrail, High Speed rail, electrification and the Tube upgrades, are all at risk of being scrapped, scaled back or kicked into the long grass with the union forecasting that the national transport budget could be hacked back by up to 27%.

Don’t Call Us...We`ll Call You!!

Submitted by Eamonn Lynch on 24 May, 2010 - 11:08

Connect radio.....don’t ya just love it??
Remember when it was rolled out onto the combine as the great answer to all our problems with comms , we would be able to radio, phone , text and even email!!
Well now seems that up at Stonebridge Park reception roads on the Up (SB) end, T/Ops can neither call the Wembley Signaller nor the Tower.
We get why we can’t connect to the Tower.
But the Wembley Box?
It’s their Railway for crissakes!

RMT Demands Assurance That Transport Projects Will Not fall Victim To Government Cuts

Submitted by Peter on 22 May, 2010 - 01:20

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today demanded concrete assurances from the government that crucial transport infra-structure projects will not fall victim to the cuts programme amid warnings today that key pledges, like High Speed Rail, could be kicked into the long grass.

In the ConDem coalitions programme document they talk about a commitment to a national high speed rail network but with the heavy duty caveat of “financial constraints” thrown into the mix as a drag weight on progress of the scheme which already lags behind much of Europe.

Notice to all Bakerloo Drivers

Submitted by Joffe on 21 May, 2010 - 12:41

Issa Kanu was off sick from 8th of August 2009 to 27th of November 2009 with depression but returned to alternative duties following a case conference.
Issa has been back at work for the last 6 months.
Following a visit to Occupational Health on the morning of Thursday May 20th 2010, Issa was declared fit to return to normal train operating duties by the company doctor.
At a case conference on the afternoon of Thursday 20th of May Issa was sacked by his Train Operations Manager.

Resolutions to Regional Council - Conduct of London Underground Functional / Tier 2 Elections

Submitted by Admin on 21 May, 2010 - 10:06

The following two resolutions were submitted by Stratford no.1 discussed at the July meeting of the Regional Council. The vote was tied and therefore they fell. The President recommended that they be resubmitted next year and that branches discuss them in the meantime.

1. That elections for single seats on these councils be conducted by branch block vote using the Alternative Vote system (rather than first-past-the-post, as at present).

New Machinery of Negotiation?

Submitted by Janine on 20 May, 2010 - 17:09

London Underground and the trade unions have been discussing a new 'Machinery of Negotiation and Consultation' (the rules and structures under which management and unions talk to each other). This is called the 'Single Machinery' as it aims to create one set of rules following the return of Metronet to London Underground.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to view and download the latest draft. Please post your views using the 'comments' facility on this post (you will need to be logged in), or e-mail Janine.

Support John McDonnell for Labour leader!

Submitted by Janine on 20 May, 2010 - 11:53

John McDonnell, convenor of RMT's Parliamentary group, is standing in the election for Labour Party leader. Unlike the other candidates, John has consistently supported our union and others in our campaigns for public ownership of public services, the repeal of anti-union laws, and many other issues. John is a principled socialist, and his candidacy asserts that Labour should represent, rather than betray, working-class people.

The first hurdle John has to overcome is to get 33 MPs to nominate him in order to even get ont he ballot paper. Here are two things you can do to help this, without even moving from where you are sitting now!
1. Email Owen Jones o.p.jones@gmail.com and ask him to add your name to the list of John's supporters.
2. Email your Labour MP (and any others!) urging him/her to nominate John. You can find your MP's details here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/

East London Line Protest and Leafleting

On Sunday 23rd May the extended East London Line will re-open, as part of private company, LOROL (London Overground). Obviously we support the extension but not when part of the tube network has been privatised through the back door. The whole of LOROL should be integrated with London Underground and owned and run by the Greater London Authority, elected by Londoners, which is RMT policy.

The privatisation of railways has been a total mess, with one company after another getting in trouble, including Metronet and Tube Lines.