LUL Trains

News, reports and information for London Underground train drivers

 

Massive Yes Vote to defend Fitz and Joel!

RMT train driver members on the Bakerloo Line have returned a massive yes vote in the fight to defend 2 of our colleagues who were recently summarily dismissed. In a 50% turnout Elephant & Castle members voted a massive 10-1 in favour of strike action to defend Bro. Chambers and Queens Park returned a handsome 4-1 majority in defence of Bro. Miah. All Bakerloo drivers are urged to support the fight to reinstate both. There is a meeting on Thursday 14th January at 16:00 hours in the Clachan: nearest tube Oxford Cicus, to discuss what action we take next.

More staff cuts facing train side

RMT reps on the Trains Functional Council have been informed by London Underground bosses on plans to cut more staff on the train side. Bill O'Dowd reported "we have now had confirmation, that Management intend to remove Rostered Team Talk from new working Time Tables, this was revealed to us at the last TFC". The RMT objected to these further cuts to train grades staffing levels.

Resolution: Trains Representatives Numbers

This resolution was passed by the February Regional Council meeting.

This Regional Council instructs the Regional Organiser and the Trains Functional Council representatives to enter into negotiations with LUL to revise the numbers of local trains representatives. This revision to be in line with the documentation provided by TFC member Vaughan Thomas and discussed at the Train Grades meeting held on January 6th.

Supporting information:

Support your sacked colleagues. Vote YES for strike action!

Click on the attachment to download the Issue 3 of the Bakerloo train grades newsletter.

The article follows:

Three Bakerloo Line drivers have received early Christmas presents from the Bakerloo Line management in the past couple of weeks: two sacked, one dipped.
All three cases could quite easily have been handled more compassionately by management but instead the axe was wielded unnecessarily.

Operational Effectiveness Programme aka Attacks on Conditions, Safety and Jobs!

From Jim McDaid, RMT Trains Health & Safety Council rep

We had an 'informal chat' with bods from the Operational Standards Unit (LU's Rule Book people) last Friday to hear their proposals for a new programme of rule changes that they want to implement across the combine. It was informal as we have so far refused to enter into formal consultation until the Safety Council have had a chance to meet with our Functional Council and Head Office officials, which we hope will be happening soon.

There are several rule book changes proposed so I'll give you the main items:

Safety Information for Underground Drivers: Wrong Direction Moves

Read the text below; click on '1 attachment' / file name to download a printable notice.

As part of Connect radio ‘Phase 2’ implementation a number of changes were made to safety critical procedures. The most notable of these was authority to pass a semi-automatic signals using secure radio communications. There were many publications, notices and briefings pertaining to the new procedure.

In a way, there was a poor relation, a new procedure that was somewhat overshadowed: wrong direction moves!

RMT Begins Ballot In Four Separate TfL Disputes

Today RMT began balloting four separate groups of members for industrial action in four separate localised trade disputes:

  • EDF Energy Powerlink
  • LU Hammersmith and City Depot Drivers
  • Straford Market Depot - Alstom Metro Trains
  • LUL Willesden Green Group

RMT has also today served notice on London Underground for a ballot of staff over pay and conditions with the ballot closing on Monday 21st December.