LU Fleet branch

Attached is a leaflet for London Underground train drivers urging them to vote YES in RMT's industrial action ballot, 'Every Job Matters'.

Please distribute. If you would like copies sent to you, please email our Regional Organiser John Leach.

Tube union RMT said today that due to a complete breakdown in industrial relations for fleet grades on London Underground the union’s executive has decided to conduct a ballot of all LU fleet members for strike action and industrial action short of a strike.

We note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch, and share its disgust at London Underground Ltd management’s attacks on the jobs and working conditions of our fleet maintenance members.

We note the report from our Regional Organiser, and understand that there have been further developments since this was submitted. We instruct the General Secretary to obtain and place in front of us an up-to-date report.

London Transport Regional Council, LU Fleet branch, and London Underground cleaners’ representatives to be advised.

We note the correspondence from LUL. While we are disappointed that the company has not agreed to our request for better representation at the working party, we note that it has agreed to release all our company council reps for a feedback meeting the day after the first working party meeting, and understand that this will happen after every working party meeting.

Further to our decision Gww 9 July 2013, seeking an improvement on the previous offer of 2.75%, we note the new offer from Alstom of 3% effective from 1 April 2013 with no strings attached. We further note the report from the Regional Organiser, that our representative and members wish to accept this offer without delay.

Accordingly, we instruct the General Secretary to advise the company of our acceptance, and to send a personal letter to all members involved.

LU Fleet branch and London Transport Regional Council to be advised.

This is the second part of a two part article taken from our newsletter on fighting job cuts. You can download it from here or request copies here

Fleet
LUL is deliberately moving to a system of less frequent maintenance of the train fleet. They want us to make checks on equipment such as tripcocks far less often. Examinations have already been moved from every 14 days to 28 days, and management plan to change daily checks to once every 60 days, and have us check the new stock just every 60 days. They also plan to reduce Hammersmith depot to little more than a stabling yard, cutting jobs and displacing staff, and to use the introduction of new trains as a pretext to do away with long-established rosters and working practices.

These cuts will inevitably lead to more failures and risk to passengers and staff, but management only care about saving money. They plan to do that by cutting our jobs and reducing their wage bill.

We note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch.

During the forthcoming review, we will insist on maintaining or improving the total amount of release afforded to our representatives, and will seek a more even and appropriate distribution of release across the representatives in various functions. Every member in every grade should have access to reps with release that makes them available when required.

This matter is to be placed in front of us when further responses are received from branches and representatives.

We note the report from our Regional Organiser and the responses of our LU Fleet and LU Engineering branches.

Accordingly, while noting that the payment has not increased since last year, we instruct the General Secretary to advise the company that this union accepts the arrangements.

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

Tube Lines Company Council meets tomorrow (Wednesday 28 November). The main issue to be discussed is the future of Tube Lines. Check back here for a report after the meeting!