LUL Trains

From General Secretary Bob Crow

I have received the following resolution from our Finsbury Park Branch

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow, wrote to the ORR following an incident in 2011 which resulted in the sacking, and subsequent reinstatement of James, due to the strong union response.The RMT complaint regarded firstly James’ alleged responsibility for the SPAD; and secondly, that James had been compelled to drive when unfit to do so. The letter below is the response.

You can read more about the case here.

The Letter

Dear Mr Crow

JAMES MASANGO

We note that London Underground Ltd dismissed Train Operator James Masango in 2011, before a strong response from this union achieved his reinstatement. We note that RMT complained to the Office of Rail Regulation: firstly, about James’ alleged responsibility for the SPAD; and secondly, that James had been compelled to drive when unfit to do so.

We note the report from HM Principal Inspector of Railways Keith Atkinson in response to our complaint, which found that:

• “the case of James Masango’s alleged SPAD does not appear to have been handled in the systematic manner I would have expected from LU”
• “there is undoubtedly room for more structured arrangement between managers and their staff for ensuring clear understanding of an individual’s fitness or otherwise to operate trains”

Referring to decision GWW 21st May 2013. The meeting has now taken place and we note the report from our Regional Organiser regarding the substantial progress made and that the recommendation of our negotiating team is that we should regard this dispute resolved due to the following points:

SPAD Policy

The RMT has made great progress in our S Stock dispute with LU. But one sticking point remains - the issue of Cross Line Working.

Following talks at ACAS on Tuesday 21st of May your negotiators tabled a reasonable solution to the S Stock dispute which was flatly refused by LUL for spurious reasons. The RMT proposed that the timetable should be amended so that trains are picked from Moorgate Bay Road as opposed to Baker St Met platforms; our view was that this would not compromise any existing agreements or require any additional training.

BREACHES OF AGREEMENTS AND FAILURE TO ADDRESS REASONABLE CONCERNS – DRIVERS - PICCADILLY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND

That we note the ballot result is as follows:-

Are you willing to take strike action?

Total votes cast ...203...

Number voting “Yes” ...182...(89.7%)............

Number voting “No” ....21.................

Spoilt Papers .....0...............

S STOCK ISSUES – LONDON UNDERGROUND

That we note the ballot results are as follows:-

Are you willing to take action short of strike action (Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan
line drivers)?

Total votes cast ...85................

Number voting “Yes”...80...(94.1%)............

Number voting “No”...5.................

Spoilt Papers...0.................

Are you willing to take strike action (Hammersmith and Edgware Road drivers)?

Total votes cast...49...............

Number voting “Yes”...41...(83.7%).............

Strike action ballots return strong yes votes from ISS cleaners, drivers on the Piccadilly and sub surface depots, and maintenance workers on TfL contract with Mitie

RMT today confirmed a ballot for strike action of Train Operators and Instructor Operators on the Piccadilly Line, in response to London Underground riding roughshod over agreements and abusing a range of agreed policies and procedures, has shown a massive nine to one vote in favour.

Attached is the May edition of 'RMT Stratford North Greenwich News'

Your representatives and senior LUL management met today to discuss the issues surrounding the introduction of S Stock trains.

The following items were discussed.