LUL Trains

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1 - We believe Alex is innocent

Alex has diabetes which we believe has given a false positive in a random breath test he took when booking on for duty. The RMT has seen evidence that this is possible. If the police breath test you and you fail, they take you back to the police station and you are tested again using much more robust equipment. At LUL once you fail a breath test that is it - sacked after 29 years unblemished service.

In this edition of the London Underground train drivers newsletter 'Upfront:Health & Safety News':

• NIGHT TUBE CONSULTATIONS UNDERWAY
• Could relaxation of meds restrictions benefit drivers?
• Depot rules belong in the rule book
• Derogation, waiver, concession: it's out of date!
  

DISMISSAL – A. MCGUIGAN – TRAIN OPERATOR – MORDEN, LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/1)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/08/15, 12th January 2015), the ballot papers for all London Underground Train Operator and Instructor Operator members were posted out on Monday 26th January and the closing date for this ballot is Tuesday 10th February 2015. If any member has not received their ballot paper, please ask them to call the Freephone Helpline number on 0800 376 3706 as soon as possible so a replacement can be sent.

In this special 'Defend Alex McGuigan' edition

• Vote Yes For Strike To Defend Alex
• RMT Offer To Call Off Ballot If LUL Respect Employment Tribunal Decision. Tube Bosses Say No
• Hendy Apologises

Click 'read more' to view and download this newsletter.

You can do your bit to help by printing this out and distributing amongst colleagues.

Further to my letter dated 12th January regarding the above, members are aware that your Union’s Executive Committee has taken the decision to conduct a ballot of all Train Operator and Instructor Operator members over this issue. The ballot notice was sent to the Company yesterday, your voting paper will be sent out on Monday 26th January 2015 and must be returned for the closing date of Tuesday 10th February 2015.

This document from the Trains Functional Council clarifies in brief for train drivers some key issues:

• Approach to dealing with staff errors
• Special leave
• Case conference process
• Odd days and outstanding annual leave
• PTOA ’90-day agreement’ – STA - ratified (that document is here.)
• Level One and TFC minutes

• TfL Commissioner of Transport Peter Hendy apologises for “inadvertent error during an interview on LBC Radio” where he stated “this is a member of staff who was dismissed for drinking on duty”.
• Urgent meeting called to discuss possible escalation of industrial action

The GMB Union's Sussex branch has passed a motion applauding the RMT efforts to secure Alex Mcguigans reinstatement. The branch has also kindly donated towards a strike fund to provide 'practical support in their efforts to win'.

In response RMT London Transport Region Secretary Eamonn Lynch has written to thank the branch for their support. Eamonn said "We really appreciate the support from your branch and the donation is gladly accepted. I know I speak for Alex when I say the support from RMT members and from comrades across the union movement is not only appreciated but a source of inspiration.

Night Tube
LU wants to start running it’s Friday and Saturday ight-tube service from Sept 2015. With a completely new station staffing model demanding new grades and rosters to be introduced in early 2016 we are faced with months of upheaval. Any sane employer would delay Night Tube until 2016 but no one in LU management will stand up to Boris.

Night Tube presents real problems for all grades and RMT is fighting to ensure that any members affected receive fair compensation from the company.

What Night Tube Means for Us

Train Operators

• Many more nights

Whatever your grade or work location, there is a very good reason for you to come to your RMT branch's AGM next Thursday (11 December, 17:00-19:15, ex Services club, Harvey Road, Leytonstone)

• London Underground has announced its schedule for ticket office closures, and the majority of the first tranche of closures are on the Central Line (details here)