Health & safety

From General Secretary Bob Crow

The TUC is dedicating this year’s Workers’ Memorial Day, Saturday 28th April, to a Day of Action to defend Health and Safety. They are producing a series of bulletins that will assist reps and activists to organise for the day with important discussion topics. The first two ‘Defending Regulation’ and ‘The Need for Enforcement’ are available online now. (see below)

Everything management do now is preparation to take us on, all of us, each grade, after the Olympics. Make no mistake, no stone will be left unturned as LUL aim to transform the job root and branch. As a previous leaked document revealed, they're making no bones about using the economic crisis to launch the attack.

This political report will explain the attacks, grade by grade, over five special issues, each fortnight.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the report from our Regional Organiser on his discussions with London Underground management prior to the result of our ballot for industrial action.

We instruct the General Secretary to obtain a report on the progress of this dispute.

London Transport Regional Council and branches with London Underground members to be advised.

LONDON UNDERGROUND intends to halve the frequency of maintenance on trains on the Metropolitan Line despite a manufacturer’s report which reveals that the safety implications of doing so have not been considered, the Tube’s biggest union reveals today.

Please Find Attached 'The Neasden Flyer' giving instructions of the recent work to rule

Inside this issue
Reversing a train blind No!
Platform Category A or B?
Passengers over shunt signals No!
Sensitive Edge Visual Overide No!

RMT TUBE drivers are to refuse to follow what the union considers to be dangerous new instructions from London Underground after voting by a margin of four to one for industrial action over train safety.

from RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

I write to advise you that following the magnificent 80% vote in favour of action, the General Grades Committee has decided to call the below action short of a strike in the above dispute.

LUL Declares War

Make no mistake, the Confidential Report exposed by RMT is the result of months, if not years, of management preparations to transform our job, root and branch, and bust the trade unions along with it.

The results will be massive job losses across all grades.

Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary, said “This document tells us everything we need to know about the operational strategy of London Underground - massive increase in fares alongside an unprecedented attack on jobs and safety. “Every single ticket office would be closed, stations left unstaffed and drivers would be thrown out of their cabs without a single thought for passenger safety.

TUBE UNION RMT today released a confidential “Operational Strategy” paper from London Underground which the union says is “a blueprint for jobs and safety carnage.”

Click on the attachments to see RMT' London Calling and LU's confidential 'Operational Strategy' paper.

TUBE UNION RMT confirmed this morning that tube driver members have voted overwhelmingly by a margin of four to one for action short of a strike in a dispute over safety.

The ballot was over four particular aspects of London Undergrounds Operational Effectiveness Programme which RMT says are unacceptable and potentially dangerous.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the result of our ballot of our London Underground train driver members is as follows:-

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note our success in achieving press coverage of London Underground’s appalling plans to reduce the frequency of tripcock testing. We further note that London Underground has now agreed to meet with us to discuss this issue, on 4 November.

At this meeting, we will press for London Underground to fully withdraw these plans. Any other outcome will lead to this union campaigning vigorously to defend our safety standards, and considering any appropriate and effective form of action.

From General Secretary Bob Crow

I write to advise you that the ballot for industrial action short of a strike has now closed and the result is as follows: -

Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?

• Total Votes Cast - 463
• Number Voting Yes - 369
• Number Voting No - 93
• Spoilt - 1

This result is being considered by the General Grades Committee and I shall be in touch with you again shortly.

After RMT "blew the whistle" on London Underground's plan to cut the frequency of tripcock testing, there has been significant media coverage of the issue, including:

• BBC: Tube train safety checks change sparks union row
• Evening Standard: Safety fears as Tube bosses plan to cut inspections on train emergency brakes
  

TUBE UNION RMT today demanded the reversal of the latest cuts plans from London Underground which would change the inspection frequency on key fail-safe safety equipment from daily to every 60 days.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the report from our Regional Organiser and representatives, that London Underground management is commencing training for Victoria Line drivers on automatic door opening. This is despite ongoing problems with door technology on the line, serious concerns about passenger safety, and our continuing, unresolved dispute about safety and training issues related to the Victoria Line upgrade.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download the 'Brown Book', which sets out the rights of health and safety representatives.

On a personal note, the reason that I have posted this today is that the 1977 regulations, which gave these rights to safety reps, were brought in by Labour Secretary of State for Employment Albert Booth, my uncle, who sadly died this morning.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch, and share the shock and alarm expressed by the branch that London Underground could even consider reducing the frequency of tripcock testing. The tripcock is an essential safety mechanism which stops a train in the event of it passing a signal at danger, therefore preventing crashes and protecting life.