Campaigning for higher health and safety standards at work, and opposing the employers' shortcuts
After RMT "blew the whistle" on London Underground's plan to cut the frequency of tripcock testing, there has been significant media coverage of the issue, including:
TUBE UNION RMT today demanded the reversal of the latest cuts plans from London Underground which would change the inspection frequency on key fail-safe safety equipment from daily to every 60 days.
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
We note the report from our Regional Organiser and representatives, that London Underground management is commencing training for Victoria Line drivers on automatic door opening. This is despite ongoing problems with door technology on the line, serious concerns about passenger safety, and our continuing, unresolved dispute about safety and training issues related to the Victoria Line upgrade.
Click '1 attachment' / file name to download the 'Brown Book', which sets out the rights of health and safety representatives.
On a personal note, the reason that I have posted this today is that the 1977 regulations, which gave these rights to safety reps, were brought in by Labour Secretary of State for Employment Albert Booth, my uncle, who sadly died this morning.
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
That we note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch, and share the shock and alarm expressed by the branch that London Underground could even consider reducing the frequency of tripcock testing. The tripcock is an essential safety mechanism which stops a train in the event of it passing a signal at danger, therefore preventing crashes and protecting life.
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
That we note the correspondence from our LU Engineering branch, reporting that major progress has been made in negotiating a safer system of work for track workers in this area, although there are outstanding concerns regarding non-track project staff and the potential of complacency creeping in.
“When the Jubilee works are complete there will be three lines in London – the Jubilee, Victoria and Central – which will operate on an automated system,
It is a fact – though not a widely known fact – that as we speak most of the Jubilee Line currently operates under automatic train operation, from Stratford to Neasden.
In other words the driving of the train is done by computer rather than manually
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
We note the correspondence from London Underground, asking this union to reconsider our industrial action on this issue [the Operational Effectiveness Programme]. We reaffirm that as London Underground has not withdrawn its plan to impose unsafe working practices for train drivers, our industrial action ballot continues, alongside the publicity campaign outlined in our previous decision.
We instruct the General Secretary to reply to LU, inviting the company to reconsider its imposition of unsafe working practices.
RAIL UNION RMT today called on the Government to “wholly reject” the McNulty Rail Review proposals to axe station-based staff and guards on trains after the union was presented with a stark intelligence report from Southeastern Railways setting out a strategy for dealing with a Mumbai or Norway style “Active Shooter” attack on the railways with a warning that such an attack is a “strong possibility.”
This course is for all reps who would like an opportunity to look at women’s health and safety issues in the workplace.
It will run for 3 consecutive Tuesdays; 1st, 8th and 15th November 2011, 9.30a.m - 4.30p.m at WEA Trade Union Learning Centre, 96 – 100 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4TP. (Map.)
The centre is a short walk from Old Street, Moorgate and Liverpool Street tube stations, Shoreditch stations and on lots of bus routes.