News, reports and information for RMT members on Tube Lines
Details on the Pensions & Passes dispute can be found here.
RMT General Grades Committee decision:
That we note the pay offer from Tube Lines for former Alstom staff at Stratford Market depot, and the report from our Regional Organiser. We accept our Regional Organiser’s recommendation that should the employer agree to proposed amendments to the wording of the offer, then it would be acceptable to us.
RMT GGC adopted the following report:
We welcome the transfer of the train maintenance contract on London Underground’s Jubilee Line from the privately-owned Alstom to the publicly-owned Tube Lines. This comes at a time when the Jubilee Line is plagued by delays and disruptions, and illustrates that this union was right to campaign against the contracting-out of this work.
This year we put in a joint pay claim with Unite and Tssa (aslef were asked to join us but declined.) RMT, TSSA and Unite are meeting on Thursday 28th April to discuss our next joint positions (once again
Aslef were invited but declined.) RMT formally rejected London Underground's pay offer which was a five year deal. A 4 percent pay deal this year when inflation is 5.5 percent and inflation plus 0.25 percent for the next four years. We will be seeking more talks on pay and I will keep you informed of all progress made.
From Bob Crow, General Secretary:
I am delighted to advise branches that thanks to pressure from the union and the threat of a ballot for industrial action of all members at Tube Lines, management have seen sense and have reinstated Brother Hutchinson. Management were under no allusion that members were prepared to vote strongly in favour of industrial action in defence of their rep who we believe has been victimised by Tube Lines. I would like to congratulate all involved for successfully getting Chris reinstated to his substantive role.
Transport For London's commissioner Peter Hendy was recently interviewed by Dave Hill for The Guardian.
In the interview Hendy says that TFL will be facing cuts in its budget of 21% over the next few years. Future job losses are discussed with Hendy foreseeing that "The other thing you take a hit on is the cost of running the place. We will be doing less in some areas, so we will need less people to do it"
From Bob Crow, General Secretary ...
Dear Colleague,
I am writing to bring you up to date with developments in regard to the TfL Pension Fund.
Actuarial Valuation
The results of the latest valuation of the Fund have recently been concluded. The valuation, as at 31st March 2009, assesses whether or not there are sufficient assets to pay for pensions already promised to existing pensioners, deferred pensioners and active members, and also sets employer contribution rates necessary to fund future benefits after the valuation date.
Click '1 attachment' / file name to download this as a single-sided leaflet.
THE TRUTH IS COMING OUT
Many Train Operators expressed concerns over safety during the recent Tube Lines strike. A lot of drivers believed that safety standards were not up to scratch. Some drivers believed that they had been given assurances during previous similar situations, that had turned out not to be true.
Track Maintenance:
ATTENDANCE
More than 50 drivers at Arnos Grove on the Piccadilly line refused to drive trains during the recent strike by Tubelines staff, despite a ferocious offensive by management to bully drivers onto trains. Local reps challenged management's claims that qualified Emergency Response Unit (ERU) staff were working normally and pointed out that LUL was refusing to provide our union with details of those alleged to be working and of their competencies and qualifications.
Read the full story by clicking on the attachment below.