RMT To Ballot Test Train Drivers For Industrial Action To Stop Tube Bosses Plans For A driverless Railway
Submitted by admin on 26 September, 2012 - 04:53
We note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch, and reiterate this union's complete opposition to driverless trains. Every train must have a driver, to ensure the safe and effective running of the Underground. Plans to scrap drivers or reduce their driving duties are risking safety, services and jobs, motivated by saving money and undermining trade unionism.
We instruct the General Secretary to:
- conduct a ballot for industrial action - both strikes and action short of strikes - of our members who are test train drivers, with the intention of instructing them to refuse to test driverless trains should they, as we strongly recommend, vote for action.
- conduct this ballot to a timescale agreed with our representative and branch, aiming for the action to be in place in good time to be effective.
- send a personal letter to all members being balloted, explaining our stance and strongly urging them to vote Yes to both questions.
- urgently obtain a report as to which other grades may be called upon to test-drive these trains, so that we may issue them with appropriate advice and consider balloting them.
- ask our London Transport Regional Council's train grades committee to discuss this issue at its meeting on Thursday 27 September and draw up plans to mobilise all London Underground drivers around this issue; place these plans in front of us.
- encourage our branches, Regional Council and its grades committees to discuss mobilising all London Underground workers around this issue and submit proposals.
London Transport Regional Council and branches to be advised.
Latest headlines from rmt.org.uk
TUBE UNION RMT warned today London Assembly members risk unleashing the biggest wave of industrial action on London Underground in 30 years after City Hall politicians lined up this morning to attack basic tube workers' rights including pensions and passes.
TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that driver members at a range of depots serving the Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan and Circle Lines will be taking industrial action in a dispute arising from the introduction of the new S Stock fleet.
In separate ballots conducted over the past two weeks, tube drivers, cleaners and TFL electricians and engineers have voted overwhelmingly for action in a series of disputes over attacks on agreements and working conditions, pay and threatened redundancies.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
'This is another blast of bad news to hit Jubilee Line users after the repeated problems with the fleet and the automated operating system.
TUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that electricians and engineers working for contractors Mitie on the TFL contract are to be balloted for strike action and action short of a strike in a dispute over redundancies and unilateral changes to working conditions.
