Drivers could be balloted on Picc over training concerns

WITHDRAWAL OF TRAIN OPERATOR TRAINING, KINGS CROSS EAST-WEST REVERSING, PICCADILLY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/10)

The following resolution was recently received from Piccadilly & District West Branch:-

“This Branch is amazed and astonished at the withdrawal of practical training of the very dangerous reversing move on the east bound platform at Kings Cross (reversing east to west), for Piccadilly Line Train Operators.

This exceptionally difficult move has been withdrawn from training purely to save money and it will put the travelling public in danger and put train operators jobs at risk.

Management say it’s the train operator’s responsibility to maintain their knowledge of this move. This was possible when the move was on the timetable, that move has now been withdrawn. That means the only time to practice this dangerous reversing move is during a service disruption, service disruptions are dangerous and not a place to practice moves.

This Branch calls on the General Secretary to engage with Brian Woodhead JNP Director and get this very important reversing move back in training on the Piccadilly Line and further to ballot all RMT Train Operators on the Piccadilly Line for action short of strike with particular reference to not performing the Kings Cross east to west move until it is practically back in training and every train operator has performed the move at least twice in training”.

This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee, which has taken the decision to consult with the Piccadilly & District West and Finsbury Park Branches and convene a meeting with Brian Woodhead JNP Director. Further, if this fails to resolve the issue, members will be balloted in line with the above resolution as this exceptionally difficult move has been withdrawn from training purely to save money and it will put the travelling public in danger and put train operators jobs at risk.