RMT Fights Back Against Imposition of Unsafe Procedures for Tube Drivers

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the report from our Regional Organiser. We also note the expressed view of our trains health and safety representatives that three particular aspects of London Underground’s ‘Operational Effectiveness Programme’ and are unacceptable and potentially dangerous. These are the proposed new procedures for: reversing a train; platform re-categorisation; and carrying passengers over a shunt signal. London Underground is now imposing Operational Standards Notice (OSN) 101 against the objections of our representatives.

Further, London Underground is introducing ‘sensitive edge procedures’ on the S stock on the sub-surface lines, despite the objections of our driver members and our trains health and safety representative.

We also note that our Regional Council has passed a resolution on these issues.

We instruct the General Secretary to:
• write to London Underground outlining this union’s strong objections to these new procedures and confirming that we are in dispute with the company about this
• immediately conduct a ballot of all London Underground train driver members for industrial action short of strike on these issues
• send a personal letter by post to all driver members outlining this union’s stance on these issues, advising them of their rights, urging them to vote Yes in the ballot, and explaining that following a ballot mandate, the union intends to call action short of strikes in the form of refusal to co-operate with these unacceptable procedures
• in conjunction with our trains health and safety representatives, produce and distribute a circular for display in traincrew depots explaining this union’s stance on these issues
• write to London Underground asking for a written assurance that it will take no disciplinary action against any of our members who do not follow these new procedures
• in conjunction with our health and safety representatives, plan a campaign for the removal of unsafe procedures from the London Underground rule book

Any developments to be placed back in front of us. London Transport Regional Council and branches with London Underground members to be advised.