RMT Referendum on Tube Lines Changes: Reject The Proposals

Referring to my previous Circular (IR/061/15, 2nd March 2015), Branches will recall that a resolution was received from our LU Engineering Branch advising that Tube Lines were imposing changes to our members’ terms and conditions. The General Grades Committee has considered this resolution and instructed me to write to Tube Lines to demand that these arrangements are not imposed and to conduct a referendum of the affected members with a recommendation to reject the proposals. The changes referred to are as follows:-

  • From Sunday 4th January 2015; all AP JNP Track and Civils Staff will be rostered to work a 35 hour, 5 shift working week and will incorporate the use of hand-held devices within their duties. Although the 15 Rostered Rest Days (RRDs) will no longer be applicable, annual leave will be increased to 37 days per year and an additional 4 lieu days will be provided to existing employees. In relation to these additional lieu days, they must be taken each year between 24th December and 31st March in the following year. This agreement includes all Q Grades who are rostered to work Sunday/Monday to Thursday/Friday EHs.
    "[RMT] demand that these arrangements are not imposed and [are conducting] a referendum of the affected members with a recommendation to reject the proposals." - RMT GS Mick Cash
  • In relation to the use of hand-held devices it was agreed that any individual who had difficulty in transferring information onto these devices would receive additional training to fulfil the input requirement. In the event that any individual could not input information onto a hand-held device after the additional training, they would continue to complete the current paper template and would remain in their current post.
  • For the majority of staff rostered nights, their normal roster will be Sunday/Monday to Thursday/Friday EHs. This will be implemented by local agreement to suit business needs on each of the JNP lines, rail ultrasonic team, rail lubrication team and civils department with a completion date of 31st March 2015. For any specific individual who has not changed their roster by the 31st March 2015, their circumstance will be reviewed on an individual basis to find a conclusion.

The referendum voting papers have been despatched to our affected members so that they can decide whether these changes are acceptable and the closing date for this referendum is Thursday 2nd April 2015. They have been advised that if the referendum results in rejection, it may lead to a ballot for industrial action.

I will keep all members informed of all further developments.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash

General Secretary