Finsbury Park branch

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the report from our Regional Organiser and the views of our Bakerloo branch and our Regional Council that this case be linked to that of James Masango.

We therefore link this file with file LUL/4/1 DISMISSAL – J MASANGO, DRIVER, LONDON UNDERGROUND.

Any developments to be placed in front of us.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note that London Underground is still refusing to reinstate our unfairly-sacked member James Masango. We note the report from our Regional Organiser, that all attempts to resolve this matter through talks – including a face-to-face meeting between our General Secretary and London Underground’s Managing Director – have failed to secure James’ reinstatement, which remains the only acceptable outcome to this case, and therefore recommending that to hold a ballot is our only option.

RMT has revealed a shocking instruction from London Underground management - that visually-impaired passengers should not travel to Victoria station during the evening peak. The BBC has covered this story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15303638

The union said last year that savage cuts to station staffing would leave disabled people without the help they need in getting around the Tube system. This appalling report shows that we were right. London Underground should reverse the job cuts!

The following resolution submitted by Finsbury Park Branch was carried unanimously at the October 27th Regional Council meeting.

The following resolution submitted by Finsbury Park was carried at the Regional council meeting on September 29th.

Following the acceptance of the Council of Executives and adoption of the motion from Finsbury Park Branch that an information campaign and potential balloting of all members of the region be undertook regarding the reinstatement of James Masango this region calls on head office to link this campaign to the dismissal of Jayesh Patel of Bakerloo Branch and that their reinstatement as drivers on LUL be the only acceptable conclusion to this issue.

TUBE UNION RMT today launched a campaign for the reinstatement of tube driver James Masango who, despite winning by 100% an Employment Tribunal claim for unfair dismissal, has still not been re-engaged by London Underground.

James Masango’s case exposed an appalling litany of mismanagement which resulted in his Tribunal taking the rare step of finding 100% in his favour with not a single shred of evidence that there was any contributory fault on his part. Reinstatement in light of such an overwhelming verdict on his innocence should be automatic.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we are utterly disgusted by London Underground’s continuing refusal to reinstate James Masango despite the Employment Tribunal ruling two months ago that LU had dismissed James unfairly and with the company 100% to blame.

The formal processes have failed to reverse this shocking injustice. We therefore instruct the General Secretary to, without any further delay, implement our previous decisions on this matter, and specifically to:

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the report from our Regional Organiser, that London Underground has given an assurance that the ‘community wardens’ are not used in Finsbury Park station, and that our local representatives confirm this.

We remain vigilant over this or similar developments, and ask branches and representatives to inform us if they become aware of any attempt to use non-LUL people to carry out or infringe upon LUL staff’s work.
London Transport Regional Council and branches to be advised.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the report from our Regional Organiser, that Initial intends to increase the pay of cleaners on its London Underground contract in line with the London Living Wage, to £8.30 per hour, as it is contractually bound to do. The company has not yet advised us of its intended pay rise for supervisor, and has rejected every other element of our pay and conditions claim.

General Grades Committee decision:

We note that the Employment Tribunal found on 17 August that London Underground dismissed Victoria line driver James Masango unfairly, that London Underground unreasonably required him to drive a train when he was not fit to do so, and that James made no contribution to his dismissal. This is a shocking case, in which LU management’s determination to force its employees to work whether or not they are fit to do so has resulted not only in an unfair dismissal but in putting the travelling public in danger.