Campaigning for higher health and safety standards at work, and opposing the employers' shortcuts
ON THE EVE of the expected publication of a Government Command Paper on their future plans for rail, RMT has warned that Ministers are preparing to wind back the clock to the days of the Hatfield and Potters Bar disasters and bring in private ownership of rail infrastructure for the first time since the collapse of Railtrack.
Last weekend on the Jubilee Line a drivers quick actions saved the life of a young child. Just as the driver was about to leave the platform at Finchley Road, he spotted a small hand coming up from the track on his CCTV and realised that someone had fallen from the platform.
Had it been a driverless train, then it would have departed as all the sytems indications were that it was safe to do so, and this story of heroism would be one of tragedy.
An open letter has been sent by RMT Stations and Revenue Council Safety Council Staff Side Secretary Ross Marshall to LU Managing Director Mike Brown.
The letter regards "The comments.... made in relation to several questions regarding staffing levels, the current review on stations, the fact that LU had presented the OSP plans as a fait accompli and other problems related to the OSP." Questions are also being asked about the review of staffing levels at a handful of stations, and why the RMT is not being involved with on this review.
Click 'read more' to see the letter or download the attachment for the original document.
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
We note that the meeting referred to in our decision of 6 October 2011 has yet to take place, due to the representatives not having been available. We instruct the General Secretary to write to Stratford no.1 branch advising that unless the representatives make themselves available soon, we will be unable to progress this matter; and to invite LU Engineering branch to send an appropriate representative to this meeting. A report of the meeting is to be placed in front of us once it has taken place.
On Saturday night the predicted heavy snow brought much of the tube to a halt. Efforts were made to keep the service running and get passengers safely home by staff working that evening. However was the inevitable - trains being stuck in snow between stations - ignored until it was too late?
 |
RMT position regarding station staff sweeping and shovelling platforms clear of snow and Ice in adverse weather conditions.
It is not station staff’s job to undertake this duty.
From General Secretary Bob Crow
The TUC is dedicating this year’s Workers’ Memorial Day, Saturday 28th April, to a Day of Action to defend Health and Safety. They are producing a series of bulletins that will assist reps and activists to organise for the day with important discussion topics. The first two ‘Defending Regulation’ and ‘The Need for Enforcement’ are available online now. (see below)
RMT National Health & Safety Conference will be held in Doncaster on the 29th of February.
More details as we get them.
Everything management do now is preparation to take us on, all of us, each grade, after the Olympics. Make no mistake, no stone will be left unturned as LUL aim to transform the job root and branch. As a previous leaked document revealed, they're making no bones about using the economic crisis to launch the attack.
This political report will explain the attacks, grade by grade, over five special issues, each fortnight.
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
That we note the report from our Regional Organiser on his discussions with London Underground management prior to the result of our ballot for industrial action.
We instruct the General Secretary to obtain a report on the progress of this dispute.
London Transport Regional Council and branches with London Underground members to be advised.