Eamonn Lynch's blog

There have been a number of concerns raised recently regarding the new 378 LOROL train stock LED headlight.
These high density beams may shine directly into driver’s eyes due to the differing heights of our trains compared to the LOROL units.
Any drivers experiencing any problems please contact your local H&S reps with details of time, date, train numbers and place of incident.
Any problems should also be reported to the Wembley signaller via connect radio, if they answer.

The pre Xmas shooting gallery that was QPK SB is now the subject of a LIR (local investigation report)
As welcome as this report is, it should be remembered that no blame is ever apportioned from any such investigation.
Any “errors” will be “lessons learned”
Funny, when we commit “errors” we receive “draconian punishments”
Fair & Consistent?
You decide.

Most T/Ops would be of the opinion fully uniformed staff, in full LUL regalia would be properly trained, properly licensed and fully qualified.
Seems that on the Wembley Group it ain`t necessarily so!
Agency staff, which look the same, talk, walk and act the same, but with far inferior training are now expected to bowl up to drivers and assist with “emergency” situations.

Great headline. Crap idea.
In an unprecedented show of common sense, the higher echelons of Team Bakerloo have finally voted off this ridiculous notion of cutting the High Tone Whistle in /out in / out etc etc when entering/leaving the depot at Stonebridge Park.
The 137 decibels this whistles generates is enough to deafen the poor old workers it’s meant to protect.

Today’s RPI was announced as 3.7%. This will mean a pay rise of 4.2% this year. For T/Ops equals about £1710 extra per annum. We still await the CSS bonus results.

At the hastily arranged ad hoc meeting on Tuesday to discuss our concerns the “heroic” actions of the agency staff were mentioned by the management team of Messrs Smith, Senior, Cullen and Toplis. They were of the opinion a commendation was in order. We countered with its not a commendation she should receive, it’s a full time job she should be awarded with. With LUL. With the requisite pay increase. And with full and adequate training to be able to carry out the important tasks necessary of a station worker.

After sterling work by the RMT H&S reps on the Bakerloo Line we have forced management into a climb down over the refusal to meet with us to discuss the worrying events of last Friday. They are now due to meet with us this afternoon,16/03/2010
Below is the letter given to all Bakerloo drivers today:

The stitch-up that led to the unfair dismissal of Fitz Chambers is as clear as day. Let’s look at the facts of the case:

A new Train Operations manager arrives at the Elephant from the District Line with a clear agenda to get the District’s unpopular and discredited “fixed links” system up and running on the Bakerloo.

Your RMT branch resolves to fight this attack on the successful and long running syndicates and this blatant attempt to undermine workers’ control in the depots.

The rumour mill in the depot mess rooms have been in overdrive recently, and in an attempt to offer some clarity to dispel the half truths, downright lies and anti worker propaganda, we have set out below the reasons management used to unfairly dismiss our 2 colleagues.

Fitz Chambers.

The charges relate to allegedly accepting a measly £40 and a cheap bottle of booze over a 4 year period. Let us be honest on this, does this really constitute gross misconduct? Is the giver of the gifts not as culpable as the alleged recipient?

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.