Campaigning for higher health and safety standards at work, and opposing the employers' shortcuts
RMT Upfront is the newsletter for London Underground drivers, produced by RMT activists.
Here's a taster of what is in this edition. Download the newsletter to read the full articles, share it online ands distribute it in your depot.
Occupational ill health
In the latest round of Fit for Nothing or Transformation as LU prefer to call it Occupational Health have become another victim of the abacus and axe.
The issue of ‘cab security’ has been discussed at the highest levels with London Underground since the spate of terrorist attacks in London and Manchester last year. The RMT even raised this issue with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. At those discussions, Mark Wild, the LU Managing Director gave commitments that this issue would be resolved and that resources would be made available.
The past few months have been tough for all staff.
Overtime shifts have not been paid out, which has led to not just frustration, but also financial hardships for a lot of us.
Management has tried to blame this on variation sheets not been filled out correctly. But when the sheets have been checked, they were in the vast majority, correct.
I emailed all staff with the process of how to claim their money owed, but this isn't good enough.
We congratulate our members on the convincing balloting turnout and magnificent yes vote which clearly demonstrates their deep concerns over the imposition of this unsafe practice.
We note that the ballot results are as follows:
The result for action short of strike is as follows:-
Number of members balloted: 67
Total votes cast 53 (79.1%)
Number voting “Yes” 53 (100%)
Number voting “No” 0
Spoilt Papers 0
The 40% and 50% thresholds were both met.
REMOVAL OF DETRAINMENT STAFF, WATERLOO, WATERLOO & CITY LINE - LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/10)
Dear Colleague,
HOT WEATHER
Following on from a consistent period of high temperature and lack of weather the Met Office yesterday issued a weather warning:
16/07/18
REMOVAL OF DETRAINMENT STAFF, WATERLOO, WATERLOO & CITY LINE - LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/10)
The following resolution has been received from the Central Line East Branch:-
Subject: REMOVAL OF DETRAINMENT STAFF, WATERLOO, WATERLOO & CITY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND
We note the resolution from our Central Line East Branch; and that this cost cutting exercise by the company is putting passengers lives at risk and our members safety at risk.
We instruct the General Secretary to advise the company a dispute now exists between our respective organisations and to arrange a ballot for action short of a strike for all Leytonstone Depot Train Operators and Operator Instructors but excluding Night Tube Drivers.
RMT demands urgent recruitment drive as internal London Underground document shows massive rise in unstaffed stations
TUBE UNION RMT this morning revealed shock new figures from an internal LUL document that expose a crisis in staffing and safety on the tube with dozens of stations now left unstaffed on a weekly basis.
The figures give more proof RMT's case that tube bosses are attempting to run the Underground on the cheap in unsafe conditions .
Edgware Road Safety News has the latest important issues from your RMT H&S rep.
In this edition:
The newsletter is attached for you to download.