Defending jobs

From General Secretary Bob Crow
A resolution was received from our East Ham Branch was as follows: -

As I understand it, the main current issues facing drivers are:

• a clampdown on discipline and attendance
• LUL refusing to confirm that Met line T/Ops only will operate the S7 train on the Met line
• plans to deploy I/Ops on lines other than their own and/or to cross-train other lines' T/Ops or
  I/Os as occurred on the Met line
• new drivers being repeatedly moved from depot to depot
• the possible development of a pool of drivers covering a larger area than just one depot, or
  even one line

We note the report that London Transport intends to make significant cuts to staffing at the LT Museum. The Museum has suffered funding cuts from this vicious Coalition government, but our members, the Museum's visitors and the cultural value of the Museum's work should not be made to suffer.

We resolve to play a full part in the campaign against these cuts, and support its demand that TfL 'open the books' so that we can identify opportunities for avoiding cuts.

We instruct the General Secretary to:

1. support and mobilise for the lobby of the TfL Board planned for 12 December.

We note the resolution from our East Ham branch concerning job cuts, and that similar resolutions have been passed by several other branches.

We share the views of our branches, and affirm that this union opposes all job cuts on London Underground and across TfL. We instruct the General Secretary to ensure that this position is made clear in relevant union publications and public statements and in any meetings and correspondence with the employers.

Please download the original newsletter below, and distribute amongst union members.

Annual elections for Reps and branch officials at this months Branch AGM
The time of year has come where RMT members of the Jubilee South Branch get to choose who represents them. This takes place at the Annual General Meeting of the branch which this year takes place on 28th November at the Spice Lounge above the Blue Eyed Maid on Borough High St Starting 16.00hrs All workplace Rep positions on Stations and Trains both Industrial relations & Heath and Safety are due for election.

That we note the result of ballot for strike action is:-

Total votes cast - 5

Number voting “Yes” - 4

Number voting “No” - 1

That we note the result of ballot for action short of strike action is:-

Total votes cast 5

Number voting “Yes” - 5

Number voting “No” - 0

We congratulate our members for taking this firm stance against the development of ‘driverless trains’, and note that London Underground Ltd states that it is not proceeding with these tests.

Check out the latest Black & Ethnic Minority members' newsletter. It has the dates for our next set of meetings, plus details of how RMT members can get nominated for our National Committee.

The Advisory Committee meets three times a year and its role is to advise the Council of Executives on issues relating to black and ethnic minority members.Items are submitted to the Advisory Committee by Branches and Regional Councils.The three-year term of office for members of the National Black and Ethnic Minority Members’ Advisory Committee finishes at the end of this year.

Nominations from Branches are currently being sought for delegates to serve on this Advisory Committee from January 2013 until December 2015. Please inform your Branch Secretary if you want to be nominated.

“No plans in relation to preparing for the introduction of driverless train on London Underground” - Tube Lines

We note the correspondence from Tube Lines, stating that it has “no plans in relation to preparing for the introduction of driverless train on London Underground” and that “This is a matter for London Underground to determine”. We instruct the General Secretary to continue to press Tube Lines for information concerning its involvement in developing technology that may facilitate driverless trains or a reduction in the driver’s role.

We note the correspondence from London Underground Ltd, and instruct the General Secretary to arrange for the appropriate officer(s) and representative(s) to attend the meeting suggested by LUL.

We further instruct the General Secretary to draft a list of issues and demands that we will raise at this meeting, and to place these in front of the GGC in advance of the meeting.

Any developments to be placed in front of us.

London Transport Regional Council, branches and representatives to be advised.

From General Secretary Bob Crow

RMT will be demonstrating outside Kings Cross station on Sunday 18th November at 11.00 to commemorate the fire and to highlight the continued need for a fully staffed and safe tube network.

This demonstration is especially important in light of the LUL documents which have been seen by your Union, which plan an unattended network including automated trains and would necessitate the ripping up of the safety regulations, including minimum staffing levels, which came about in response to the tragedy.

More information will follow.