Opposing victimisation

The Strike has been suspended - http://rmtlondoncalling.org.uk/node/2191

All London Underground train driver members are instructed not to book on for any duty that commences:

• between 21:01 on Monday 16 May and 11:59 on Tuesday 17 May
• between 12:00 on Wednesday 18 May and 11:59 on Thursday 19 May
• between 12:00 on Friday 20 May and 21:00 on Friday 20 May

All London Underground train driver members are further instructed not to book on for any duty that commences:

• between 21:01 on Monday 13 June and 11:59 on Tuesday 14 June
• between 12:00 on Wednesday 15 June and 11:59 on Thursday 16 June
• between 12:00 on Friday 17 June and 21:00 on Friday 17 June

TUBE UNION RMT today announced strike dates after members voted by almost two to one for strike action in a ballot of all train operator and instructor operator members in the on-going disputes over the victimisation of union activists including two driver members - Eamon Lynch and Arwyn Thomas - over their trade union activities.

The RMT Train Grades Committee has produced a new "Up Front" the newsletter for London Underground drivers. This edition has been amended to take account of RMT General Grades Committee decision. Click on the attachment to download it. Main stories follow:

Drivers vote to stop victimisations on the tube

What a result! Train drivers and Instructor operators on LU were asked “are you prepared to take strike action over the victimisation of Eamonn Lynch and Arwyn Thomas?” 64% of drivers responded with a resounding yes vote on a turnout of nearly 50%
This is a major achievement for the union and shows that drivers across the whole of the combine and in every depot are determined to stop the victimisation of our fellow drivers. Never before has the union escalated an individual case across the whole of the tube network.

Click on the attachment below to download the April edition of London Calling.

In this edition:

STOP VICTIMISING OUR REPS - why drivers across the combine voted 'YES' to strike action for the reinstatement of Arwyn Thomas and Eamonn Lynch;

LU REWARDS STAFF WITH PAY CUT - 'Metro of the Year' rewards its staff with more work and a pay cut;

LU STALLS ON JOB CUT REVIEWS - how LU management are sticking two fingers up to the job cut review process.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download the latest issue of 'RMT Platform', which leads with this article:

Station and revenue staff should support RMT's campaign to win the reinstatement of sacked driver reps Eamonn Lynch and Arwyn Thomas.

London Underground sacked Eamonn for following instructions from line control when he had a defective trip cock! Other drivers in similar situations, even those more at fault, have not been sacked. LU sacked Arwyn following allegations from a strike-breaker during last year's strikes against stations job cuts.

RMT GGC decision:

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

Number of ballot papers issued ....1298.................
Total votes cast ....595 (45.8% turnout).......
Number voting “Yes” .....379 (63.9%)....
Number voting “No” .....216...............
Spoilt Papers ....0.........

RMT GGC decision:

That we note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch, and share our branch’s concern about the treatment of our members. It is wholly unacceptable that our members should face investigation for an alleged branch of the Internet and Email policy in 2008, when they were in effect working for a different company, especially as the allegations against them are of a minor nature.

Click on the attachment below to download April's Monthly News.

In this edition:

PICCADILLY BOSSES TRIAL ‘OPEN DOORS’ POLICY! - How did a set of doors open on their own on a moving train? Why did management fail to alert drivers to the incident, leaving our Safety reps to do the job for them?

COMPANY OFFERS PAY CUT - We are the 'Metro of the Year', yet the company offers us a deal which will cut our pay in real terms.

EARL’S COURT DERAILMENT REPORT SHOWS SAFETY FAILURES.

500,000 SAY ‘KILL THE CUTS!’

Click on attachment to download a poster for notice boards.

All Train Operators and Instructor Operators have been balloted for strike action over LUL’s continuing victimisation of our representatives and activists.

You are invited to attend a member’s meeting on the date the all drivers ballot closes 27th April 2011 to discuss the result and the next course of action.

Wednesday 27th April 2011 at 4pm

YMCA Indian Student Hostel

41 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6AQ

RMT GGC decision:

That we note the resolution from our Bakerloo branch and support its sentiments. We therefore instruct the General Secretary to immediately write to all TUC-affiliated trade unions, asking whether they plan to hold any industrial action in London or the surrounding areas during May or June, and inviting them to discuss with us the possibilities of co-ordinating that industrial action with any strike action we call in pursuance of this dispute.