LUL Trains

Further to my previous Circular (IR/317/16, 26th October 2016), the ballot has concluded with members voting as follows:-

Question: Are you prepared to take strike action?

Total Votes Cast 201

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 169

Number Voting ‘No’ 32

Spoilt Papers 0

Question: Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?

Total Votes Cast 201

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 176

Number Voting ‘No’ 25

Spoilt Papers 0

Tube union RMT confirmed today that balloting has concluded in two separate disputes on London Underground with massive votes for action being recorded in both. Both disputes, tube station staff and Piccadilly Line drivers, have safety of passengers and staff at their core.

The disputes are:

Dean, an RMT member of many years has been unfairly sacked following an incident in White City depot. The RMT strongly believes that this dismissal is unfair and unproportional to the incident.  Please read the attached poster for more information.

RMT Upfront is the newsletter for drivers on London Underground, produced by RMT driver activists and reps.

In this edition:

• Tube bosses confirm driverless train testing has taken place
• Happy New Year to Night Tube drivers
• RMT demands end of cuts following North Greenwich bomb incident
• District and H&C Line dispute over Boxing day and NYE working
• Piccadilly Line Ballot 
• Night Tube & Trains Grades meetings

Please share the newsletter with your colleagues.

A ballot for strike action of drivers on the Piccadilly Line is being prepared. The dispute involves issues over breach of procedure, mistreatment of a line representatives, unfair disciplinary action and issues surrounding safety and training.

Read the latest Piccadilly Line newsletter for all the latest news for drivers on the line.

Following a number of reports of London Underground carrying out trials of ‘driverless’ trains into and out of Willesden Green sidings on the Jubilee line, the Trains Health & Safety Council formally asked LUL at director level if the reports were correct. LUL confirmed that they have been testing technology that would allow trains to move in and out of sidings without a Train Operator on the train.

London Underground has agreed with the RMT about the fairest way to operate services on New Years Eve.

Now all Night Tube drivers will have the opportunity to either work or apply for annual leave on NYE, but if they choose to work they will be paid the same enhancements as full time drivers who volunteer. This has been a prolonged process – taking many months to achieve – but at last we have a position which is both fair and consistent with current procedures.

NEW YEARS’ EVE WORKING 2016 - An update

Dear Colleagues It has been brought to my attention that Aslef has been making wildly inaccurate claims about this Union’s position on NYE payments for drivers. It saddens me to have to refute statements from another union, because I believe we should always strive to work together, but I cannot allow falsehoods to go unchallenged.

Following an overwhelming vote for action by RMT drivers on the Hammersmith and City and Circle Lines, and a failure to reach an agreement in talks held through ACAS right up to the wire yesterday, the union has confirmed this morning that 24 hours of strike action will go ahead from this evening.

All affected members have been instructed NOT TO BOOK ON for any shifts that commence between:-