Briefings and advice

Click on the attachment to see the guidance document which has been agreed by RMT level 2 reps and Regional Organiser, Steve Hedley, for distribution to reps and members.

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.

Attached is a pdf of 'useful agreements for train operators'. Hard copies will be produced and distributed to all RMT train drivers.

Attached is the full ASLEF/LU agreement for the Olympic games. Appendix 1 outlines managements facility to change both duties AND rest days at 3 days notice.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download a report form the TUC on the gender impact of government cuts.

Tube Lines are responsible for the Emergency Response Unit that covers the entire network and is fundamental to the safe running of London Underground. To ensure your own safety and that of others during the period of industrial action you are advised to approach your management prior to carrying out your duties for assurances that a safe system of work is in place.

Partly as a result of what has happened to Mercy [Odisi, former RMT rep, Green Park Group] our branch [Finsbury park] has decided to produce the following guidance for SAMFs which, if followed, should protect ticket office staff from suffering the same fate as befell Mercy:

1. Be extra careful with money transfers and float/deposit safe audits.

2. If you are doing POMs and are unhappy with the amount you have taken, compared with the amount recorded that you have taken, log it and tell ESAF on the autophone.

Please find the following Important Safety Information from the Regional Organiser

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR JUBILEE LINE DRIVERS

Dear Colleagues,

We need to advise you that Jubilee Line train maintainers at Stratford Market Depot, Neasden and Stanmore will be taking industrial action for 24 hours from 19.29 hours on Wednesday 24th January. This will be repeated the following Sunday to Monday, and every Sunday/Monday for three months.

Their dispute is due to the fact that their Northern Line counterparts get paid considerably more money for doing the exact same job.

This dispute could have serious implications for the safety of the trains that will be offered for service during and following the industrial action.

This briefing itemises anti-trade-union legislation since 1980. It then looks further back into history, and examines some of the key issues in Britain's anti-union laws.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download this as a document; click 'read more' to read the text below.

O H Parsons & Partners

We are a specialist Trade Union law firm having served Trade Unions and their members for over 60 years.

Much has changed over the years but our commitment to Socialist and Trade Union values remain as strong as ever.

We act for workers across a wide range of industries dealing with industrial injuries and employment law.

For the Union members, in partnership with their Unions, we offer the following service:

FREE

Advice and representation concerning any accident suffered at work, on the way to and from work,

You'll probably be aware that Mayor Boris Johnson held a 'Swine Flu Summit' yesterday to address concerns. No trade unions were represented.

Meanwhile, LUL's Director of Safety is insisting there is no need to meet your safety representatives over the issue and that the entire thing is exaggerated.

Aside from the fact that the employer has a legal duty to consult safety representatives on your behalf, we believe the Director of Safety, Mike Strzelecki, to be improvident and irresponsible.

This document is attached as a PDF. Read the text below.

Introduction

Pandemic influenza is very different from, and far more serious than, the usual seasonal influenza outbreaks that happen every year. A pandemic is an outbreak that may affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, leading to a large proportion of them becoming ill. Pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus emerges that is very different from ordinary seasonal flu and, because it is new, people have very little or no immunity to it. There are normally around two to three such pandemics every century. The most recent pandemic was in 1968 and affected mainly the young and the elderly. An earlier outbreak in 1918 caused an estimated 20-40 million deaths worldwide, most of which occurred among people aged between 20 and 45.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download.

Click '1 attachment' / file name to download a leaflet from your RMT health & safety reps about swine flu.

Advice for RMT Members regarding the Operational Cost Review (OCR)
Read the text below, and download the advice as an A4 sheet

The RMT is deeply concerned at LUL's announcement that they are getting rid of 970 so called “back room staff” as part of an operational cost review. It is a disgrace that at a time when billions of pounds are being found to subsidise the banks, London's Railway Infrastructure and Services are being cut back.