News, reports and information for London Underground train drivers
You may find it useful to read, should you be concerned about carrying out a job or particular task, and want to know the procedure for refusing to work on safety grounds.
We note the correspondence from London Underground Ltd regarding inner inter-car barriers. We also note the appalling incident at Holland Park station during the Notting Hill Carnival, during which distressed passengers escaped from the train by breaking through these barriers.
This incident - together with others, including the escape of a boy from a train in Queens Park depot on the Bakerloo line - completely discredit LUL's claim that these barriers prevent passengers escaping from trains when the doors are closed.
We note that London Underground Ltd has signed an agreement to extend the validity of our ballot mandate. We therefore suspend the strike action due to start at 2100 today (24 September 2013) and conclude at 0300 tomorrow (25 September 2013).
We affirm that our strike action due to commence on 8 October 2013 is not suspended, and remains in place. We instruct the General Secretary to provide all necessary support and advice to members taking part in this industrial action.
We note that London Underground Ltd has signed an agreement to extend the validity of our ballot mandate. We therefore suspend the strike action due to start at 2100 today (24 September 2013) and conclude at 0300 tomorrow (25 September 2013).
We affirm that our strike action due to commence on 8 October 2013 is not suspended, and remains in place. We instruct the General Secretary to provide all necessary support and advice to members taking part in this industrial action.
The underground railway (Metro) in Finland's capital city Helsinki is due to go 'driverless' in 2016. I discussed this with Finnish trade unionists Jussi and Satu, and heard a story that has important lessons for London Underground workers and passengers trying to prevent the same calamity happening in London.
The proposal to introduce driverless operation on the Helsinki Metro was first raised in 2007. The trade unions opposed it (note that as city council employees, the Metro workers are members of the public sector trade union rather than a transport union).
We note that ASLEF has resolved its dispute with London Underground Ltd, reaching a settlement that drivers who work on Boxing Day will receive a £350 payment and that this is financed through amendments to the Train Operators Resourcing Agreement (TOPRA). These amendments cause some detriment to drivers, particularly newer drivers, who may find themselves unable to move to the depot of their choice for a longer period of time. RMT is not party to this agreement, and does not accept that working conditions should be sold in this way.
We note the correspondence from London Underground Ltd responding to the seriousissues raised by our representatives in this dispute. We instruct the lead officer to obtain the views on our Central line drivers’ representatives on this response, and instruct the General Secretary to place a report of these views in front of us.
That we note the correspondence on file from the ASLE&F reporting that they will not be balloting their members for Industrial Action on the Victoria Line, however this Union remains in dispute on this matter.
London Transport Regional Council and branches to be advised.
This document is a guideline for managers when disciplining LU staff regarding attendance. It sets out how and when LU believes a warning of less than 26 weeks is appropriate.
LU has altered it's policy on allowing drivers taking medication for depression to drive trains. Below is the company stance and forms used are attached.
LU article on the new procedure
Occupational Health revises advice it gives drivers
Occupational Health has revised the advice it gives to train operators regarding anti-depressant medication, following consultation with key internal stakeholders and medical experts.