Olympics and Paralympics 2012

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note that a well-attended meeting of our London Underground representatives unanimously recommended rejection of London Underground’s Olympics offer, taking the firm view that any offer should be for all grades and that there should not be any changes to the rules governing working conditions set out in the Framework Agreements. We therefore reject London Underground’s offer.

A recent cleaners protest, photo by Mark King

“Greedy Money Grabbing Cleaners” Demand Olympics Bonus

If only this were true! Whilst the debate continues about the financial rewards being offered to most LU staff across the combine for the Olympic Games, please spare a thought for our often downtrodden cleaning colleagues who are employed by the notorious Cleaning Companies.

Please download and distribute the attached poster.

The RMT Executive through the General Grades Committee has issued the following statement and poster for notice boards to reiterate and clarify the RMT's position on members entitlements for the Olympic period.

“We reiterate our stance that all grades of transport employees are entitled to a decent financial reward for their efforts transporting huge numbers of passengers during the Olympics and are entitled to take leave during the summer, and that working conditions and important agreements should not and need not be attacked in order to facilitate Olympic running.”

Attached to this post, you will find London Underground's letter to RMT setting out the company's offer to staff for Olympic working, consisting of:

• a letter from LU
• a document giving its 'flexibility' demands
• and an appendix for each of the four functions affected
  • Asset Performance Directorate
  • Stations and Revenue Control
  • Service Control including Duty Reliability Managers
  • Operational Managers in COO and APD, including Network Operational Learning Trainers

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We further note that our members on TfL are highly dissatisfied with the way that the employer is treating them, with both a lack of adequate financial reward and unacceptable changes to working conditions.

We instruct the General Secretary to immediately organise a ballot in line with our previous decision of 23 February 2012, to send a personal letter by post to all members, and to assist the branch and representatives in campaigning for the maximum turnout and 'yes' vote.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the offer from London Underground, of an additional £350 lump sum payment to all operational staff in each of the following functions, dependant on the trade unions agreeing to changes in working practices detailed in the correspondence:

• Asset Performance Directorate
• Stations and Revenue Control
• Service Control including Duty Reliability Managers
• Operational Managers in COO and APD, including Network Operational Learning Trainers

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the report from our lead officer, that Tube Lines cancelled the Company Council meeting due to take place today, apparently on the request of London Underground Ltd. We suggest to LUL that if it wishes to run Tube Lines, then it acquire Tube Lines and fully integrate it.

There will be a meeting for all cleaners and supporters Tursday 8th of March from 18:30 hours in the 12 Pins Pub, Finsbury Park.

This meeting will discuss the abject failure of the cleaning companies to properly reward and accept the higher workloads for cleaners on LU during the Olympic period. All members welcome.