You may be aware that the LUL Connect Radio System and the emergency services Airwave system both use Tetra Wave Radio technology. Safety reps have recently received a shocking copy of a Police Federation Report questioning the safety of Tetra Wave Radio as shown at
The London Transport region of the RMT recently held a training day for young members who want to become more active in the union. A Young Members' group has been setup and a Regional Young Members' officer has been elected.
The Young Members' group wishes to inspire members of the RMT under 30 to become more actively involved in the union. We have already started this by visiting depots and other workplaces, asking various young members what would get them involved in the union. Because of this activity some young members are becoming active for the first time.
by Vaughan Thomas, RMT Trains Council
National and local media often accuse Tube drivers of being overpaid and under worked. Whenever we have a dispute they trot out the old refrain that a trained monkey could do our job, and it’s about time that the Mayor took on the unions! Flogging’s too good for the likes of us!
They compare us to underpaid workers in the emergency services: the nurses, paramedics and firefighters and say we should be grateful for what we’ve got. How dare we ask for more!
The first issue of your RMT Region's new-look quarterly newsletter is out now, and has been mailed to every member at home. It urges members to get ready for the battle ahead to win a decent pay rise; to defend workmates who face victimisation; and to support and unite local disputes in defence of jobs and against management bullying.
Click on the file name below to view, download and/or print it.
Circular No. IR 245/08 from RMT head office, Publication Date: October 9 2008
Dear Colleagues
CLAIM FOR PARITY PAYMENTS – SHIFT TESTER MEMBERS – EDF POWERLINK
Last week talks broke down at ACAS (the Government backed conciliatory service) between RMT and EDF Powerlink. The dispute centres on a change to the Shift Tester members 12 hour shift roster from the current 10 hour day and 14 hour nights.
The TUC has produced a useful guide to issues surrounding menopause. If you are going through 'the change', or if you are an RMT rep, you will find it useful to download and read this document to check your rights and what allowances management should be making for you.
To download it, click on the file name below.
The highest-paid director’s earnings:
TfL’s Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy’s salary: £320,000 + up to 50% bonus (2006)
Tube Lines: 15 Directors, average salary £660,000+ (2007)
by Steve Hedley, RMT London Transport Regional Council Secretary
Talks start soon about your next pay rise. You deserve a decent rise, and your union, RMT, is determined to fight for that.
You need 20% more money to fill up. The staples of life - bread, rice, milk, other food - are rocketing in price. According to the Daily Telegraph, food prices are accelerating at their fastest rate since records began, increasing the average family’s annual shopping bill by £750.
by Steve Hedley, RMT Regional Council Secretary
An all-grades, all-companies ballot is essential if we want to stop sackings, harassment, victimisation and bullying. The very future of the union is at stake.
It doesn’t matter if you are a driver, station staff, controller, cleaner or engineer, you will know someone who has been harassed back to work when sick, been sacked for attendance or suspended for carrying out union activities.
by Kebba Jobe, RMT health & safety rep, LUL service control
In February, Jo Duffy was re-elected RMT representative, but his local Service Control Manager refused to recognise his position, despite the fact that a local rep had been negotiated for Jubilee line service control eight years previously and they had recognised me when I was the rep for five of those years!