Opposing victimisation

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http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c...

There has been extensive media coverage today of RMT's call for new strikes to demand the reinstatement of Arwyn Thomas. Please click on the links below. Many of these have comments facilities and discussion forums, so please post your support for our campaign!

• Evening Standard
• BBC website
  

TUBE UNION RMT today announced strike dates involving all train driver members in the on-going dispute over the victimisation of union activist Arwyn Thomas over his trade union activities and the associated continuing harassment and victimisation of union reps throughout London Underground.

Despite strenuous efforts by RMT, LU have refused to reach an agreement that would reinstate Arwyn Thomas despite his successful appeal for “interim relief” for unfair dismissal at the Employment Tribunal on the grounds of his trade union activities.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That following London Underground’s refusal to even discuss re-employing Arwyn Thomas and the GGC’s decision of 23rd May 2011, we call strike action as follows: -

All London Underground Train Driver Members are further instructed not to book on for any duty that commences: -

• Between 21.01 hours on Sunday 19th June 2011 and 03.00 hours on Monday 20th June 2011.

LONDON UNDERGROUND has thrown at least £250,000 down the tube trying to defend its indefensible victimisation of train operator Arwyn Thomas, RMT has estimated.

Six-figure legal fees, management time spent preparing for and attending six days of tribunals, including senior managers on £600-plus a day, on top of Arwyn’s salary – paid on the orders of an interim hearing in January – add up at least to the cost of employing 20 modern apprentices for a year, the union says.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today:

That we refer this matter back to our Southern Sub Committee for further examination and report and direct the Southern Sub Committee to trigger action in order to maintain the ballot for industrial action mandate and also positively explore the possibility of laying down industrial action on 30 June 2011 that runs in parallel with the day of action being planned by some other public sector Unions – this decision to support the clearly stated intention of this Union to attempt to co-ordinate industrial action for the maximum effect.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we are appalled that following the agreement we reached with London Underground last week, LU has instructed its lawyers not to discuss re-employing Arwyn Thomas, and instead to discuss only a financial settlement.

This is despite an Employment Tribunal having awarded Arwyn interim relief, finding that he was unfairly dismissed due to his trade union activities and asking LU to reinstate him. The only way to put right the injustice of Arwyn's dismissal is to reverse it, by Arwyn returning to work as a London Underground driver.

Below is the text from a letter from Bakerloo Branch Secretary, Brian Munro, to train operators on the Bakerloo Line. This was distributed today.

THANKS TO YOU

To Bakerloo train operators

Comrades,

On behalf of Eamonn Lynch and the Bakerloo Branch of the RMT I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those RMT members who voted for industrial action and who took part in our two days of solid strike action for our workmates Eamonn Lynch and Arwyn Thomas. To those ASLEF members who respected our picket lines and showed continual support and solidarity with the RMT’s campaign I would like to say that this union is proud to have you as our friends and comrades.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

Following consultation with our representatives, we accept the agreement tabled to us, which

• secures the re-engagement of Eamonn Lynch without loss of salary;
• establishes a review of industrial disputes;
• arranges legal discussions in the Arwyn Thomas case in an attempt to resolve the dispute, which in our view can be resolved only by his reinstatement; and
• agrees a further meeting between LU and RMT next week.

REINSTATE OUR REPS! At long last, Eamonn Lynch's tribunal has announced its unanimous decision: Eamonn's dismissal by LU was unfair and was because of his trade union activities. If management still refuses to reinstate both Eamonn and Arwyn, we must prepare to hit the company with strike action, starting on Monday 16th May. An injury to one is an injury to all.

For details of the strikes and other issues, click on the attachment below.