LU Fleet branch

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the proposal from Tube Lines to extend the current 3-year pay deal for a further 2 years, increasing wages by RPI+0.5% (minimum 2%) from 1 April 2013 and again from 1 April 2014.

We instruct the General Secretary to obtain a report on the views of our lead officer, representatives, branches and members about this proposal, and to place this report in front of us by 31 January.

London Transport Regional Council and branches to be advised.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the referendum/ballot result is as follows:

Total votes cast 56
Number voting ‘Yes’ 49
Number voting ‘No’ 7
Spoilt Papers 0

We note the result of our referendum ballot and accordingly instruct the General Secretary to inform the Company of our acceptance of the offer.

London Transport Regional Council to be informed.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the latest correspondence on file from the Company in relation to an improved pay and conditions offer, accordingly and in line with the Organiser’s report we instruct the General Secretary to put in place a referendum ballot with a recommendation to accept, with a closure date of November 29th 2011.

Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the report from the Organiser on this matter and accordingly instruct the General Secretary to inform the Company that we will not be continuing with our current dispute actions and that they are to cease forthwith.

A letter to be sent to our members involved, relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be informed. Usual electronic lines of communication to be utilised as appropriate.

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.

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.

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
  

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.

RMT General Grades Committee decision re Northfirelds depot case:

We note the report from our LU Fleet branch secretary that the ballot for industrial action is no longer necessary as the disciplinary action against our member has been dropped with ‘no case to answer’.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

We note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch and share the branch’s concerns about the unjust way in which our member is being treated. We further note the branch’s view that members have no trust in the disciplinary procedure being applied fairly, and wish to take industrial action to ensure justice for their workmate.

General Grades Committee decision:

We note the latest offer from Alstom Metro Trains:
• year 1: 4% increase on basic pay
• year 2: 4% increase on basic pay
• up to £400 Olympic bonus
• proposals on travel costs and appraisal interviews

We note that this offer does not meet our claim or our members’ aspirations, as it:
• is below RPI for this year
• may well be below RPI for next year
• compares badly to other pay awards in the region

General Grades Committee decision:

We note the report from our Regional Organiser. We also note that our LU Fleet branch is dissatisfied with levels of representation and wishes the union to continue to pursue this issue.

We instruct the General Secretary to obtain from LU Fleet branch a report of its outstanding concerns following its next branch meeting on 21 September.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow to RMT Fleet members at Northumberland Park depot:

Dear Colleagues,

I write to advise you that the ballot for industrial action has now been suspended as an agreement has now been reached on this matter. As you will recall three of your colleagues were being disciplined following allegations that they breached LUL (TFL) Internet and Email policy back in 2008 and faced serious sanctions. Your Union argued that as TFL were not the employer at the time and due to the timescale involved it was unreasonable to go down this route.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the report from our Regional Organiser. We note that the outcome of the disciplinary process was that our members were issued with 52-week warnings to run from the date of the alleged offence, and that as this was in 2008, the warnings have now expired.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note that our previous decision of 15 June agreed to accept the pay offer from Tube Lines for former Alstom staff at Stratford Market depot, subject to the company accepting our Regional Organiser’s proposed amendments to the wording of the offer.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the pay offer from Tube Lines for former Alstom staff at Stratford Market depot, and the report from our Regional Organiser. We accept our Regional Organiser’s recommendation that should the employer agree to proposed amendments to the wording of the offer, then it would be acceptable to us.

RMT General Grades Committee decision:

That we note the latest pay offer from Alstom, of 2.75% for this year and CPI+0.5% for next year, subject to a minimum of 2% and a maximum of just 3%. We note the report from our Regional Organiser, and also note that this is not a final offer.

Accordingly, we reject this offer, as it is below inflation for this year, and is very poor for Year 2, which includes the Olympic Games. The offer is unacceptable to our members.

RMT GGC adopted the following report:

We welcome the transfer of the train maintenance contract on London Underground’s Jubilee Line from the privately-owned Alstom to the publicly-owned Tube Lines. This comes at a time when the Jubilee Line is plagued by delays and disruptions, and illustrates that this union was right to campaign against the contracting-out of this work.

RMT GGC decision:

That we note the resolution from our LU Fleet branch, and share our branch’s concern about the treatment of our members. It is wholly unacceptable that our members should face investigation for an alleged branch of the Internet and Email policy in 2008, when they were in effect working for a different company, especially as the allegations against them are of a minor nature.