Britain's Biggest Union Pledges Full Support for RMT Tube Dispute

Submitted by Admin on 11 June, 2009 - 14:50

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST trade union, Unite, which is also one of the four unions on London Underground, has pledged its full support and solidarity with the RMT in its current dispute over jobs, pay and bullying on the Tube.

Unite have also joined a growing call for Mayor Boris Johnson to enter into direct talks with RMT which has been supported today by London Labour MPs, GLA members and former London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Peter Kavanagh, Unite regional industrial organiser, said:

TfL Dispute - Lack of Support for TfL Staff

Submitted by paulrutland on 11 June, 2009 - 10:11

I am writing this in a personal capacity but I believe this is the feeling of a lot of TfL members of RMT. We have given 100% to the build up of this dispute/campaign since day one. We have only 4 'recognised' Reps in the whole of TfL unlike other areas of membership. We are part of this dispute because of the possible 3000 job cuts in our area, no pay offer whatsoever from TfL and members being denied the representatives of their choice plus we already have to suffer the disgraceful 'OCP' scenario where we can be made compulsory redundant.

Bob Crow "stunned" by management dishonesty

Submitted by Joffe on 10 June, 2009 - 15:30

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow sent the following message to all union members:

"Dear Colleague,

A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY

THE TRUTH (AND IF NOT SUE US FOR LIBEL)

This is my 31st year as a member of this Union and a worker on London Underground and in all that time I have never experienced such dishonesty from any management that I have dealt with. Let me explain to you what really happened at the talks.

The Facts

Solidarity Greetings from RMT East London Rail branch

Submitted by Admin on 10 June, 2009 - 00:00

Comrades, brothers, and sisters.

Fraternal greetings.

East London Rail Branch RMT salutes the stand being taken by you, our comrades, across the London Transport network tonight in your struggle against bullying management, pay cuts, and job-losses.

This Branch notes that in these times of recession, all workers are being told we must ‘tighten our belts’; we also note the stark - and frankly stinking - hypocrisy of your management, who like so many others, believe this does not apply to them.

Latest: Strike is on as LUL offer nothing!

Submitted by Joffe on 9 June, 2009 - 16:06

Click '1 attachment' / file name to donwload this as a single-side RMT bulletin

RMT spent ten hours in talks with London Underground management yesterday (Monday 8 June). We made many proposals and offered many opportunities for management to settle our dispute with them, but sadly, at the end of a long day all London Underground offered was more talks.

  • They refused to even discuss pay.
  • They still refuse to respond to our claims for improved conditions, for example a guaranteed alternative job if you become medically unfit for your existing post.

    • More management "misrepresentations"

    Submitted by Joffe on 9 June, 2009 - 15:59

    We understand that LUL management are claiming that the cases of two sacked Victoria Line drivers are the only outstanding issues in this dispute.

    That is straightforwardly untrue.

    If LUL were to reinstate these drivers, it may help resolve the separate dispute on the Victoria Line, but the dispute involving all our members on London Underground is about jobs, pay and justice for all workers, and since management offered nothing at yesterday's talks, all these issues remain unresolved.

    Management Misrepresentation

    Submitted by Admin on 9 June, 2009 - 13:17

    We understand that LUL management are claiming that the cases of two sacked Victoria Line drivers are the only outstanding issues in this dispute.

    That is straightforwardly untrue.

    If LUL were to reinstate these drivers, it may help resolve the separate dispute on the Victoria Line, but the dispute involving all our members on London Underground is about jobs, pay and justice for all workers, and since management offered nothing at yesterday's talks, all these issues remain unresolved.