RMT official circulars

I refer to my previous Circular NP/076/14, 11th April 2014, the RMT has been informed that the suspension of transfers-in from external pension sources has now ended. This will mean that from 1st April 2016 members of the TfL Pension Fund who have deferred (frozen) pension benefits are now able to consider transferring them into the TfL Pension Fund to buy extra pension benefits.

While the decision to transfer rests entirely with the individual member this is good news that members will again have this option.

CHANGES TO CLEANING OPERATIONS – INTERSERVE FACILITIES (KEOLIS AMEY DOCKLANDS CONTRACT) (DLR/15/4)

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, TRAIN OPERATORS, PICCADILLY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)
 
Further to my letter dated 14th April and as you will be aware, discussions at ACAS have been taking place in an effort to make progress over the issues affecting Train Operator and Instructor Operator members on the Piccadilly Line. It has now been agreed that local level meetings will take place to identify outstanding issues and agree the most appropriate forums for these matters to be addressed.
 

DISCIPLINARY/SPAD PROCEDURE, SHUNTERS – TUBE LINES AP JNP (LUL/4/4)
 
I recently received the following resolution from our LU Fleet Branch:
 
“Unjustified disciplinary action was taken against members at Northfields Depot after a shunting incident where a signal was passed at danger.
 

RATES OF PAY & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, NIGHT RUNNING AND PENSIONS – TUBE LINES AP JNP (LUL/0001/TL)

Dear Colleagues,

TFL PENSION FUND – CONTRACTING-OUT PROPOSALS

As a result of Government legislation Defined Benefit (Final Salary) pension schemes, such as the TfL Pension Fund, are no longer able to contract-out of the State Second Pension. As from 6th April 2016 both members and employers will see their National Insurance Contributions (NIC) increase by 1.4% and 3.4% respectively as the rebate associated to contracting-out is abolished.

Dear Colleagues,

TFL PENSION FUND - 2015 TRIENNIAL ACTUARIAL VALUATION

Following the 2015 triennial actuarial valuation of the TfL Pension Fund the results reveal a deficit of £396 million with a funding level of 95%. This is a significant improvement on the previous valuation carried out in 2012 which revealed a deficit of £699 million (funding level of 89%). 

BREACH OF CORE WORK AGREEMENT, CONTRACTING OUT AND USE OF SECONDARY CONTRACTORS – FLEET GRADES – LUL (LUL/13/1) The Lead Officer has recently advised that our Fleet Reps have registered a failure to agree on two issues; S-Stock Shoe Gear Replacement and Breaches of the Core Work Agreement.

CHANGES TO CLEANING OPERATIONS – INTERSERVE FACILITIES (KEOLIS AMEY DOCKLANDS CONTRACT) (DLR/15/4)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/073/16, 17th March 2016), the ballot has concluded with members voting as follows:-

Question: Are you prepared to take strike action?

Total Votes Cast 34

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 33

Number Voting ‘No’ 1

Spoilt Papers 0

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

Total Votes Cast 34

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 30

Number Voting ‘No’ 1

Spoilt Papers 3

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, TRAIN OPERATORS, PICCADILLY LINE – LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/073/16, 17th March 2016), members took part in solidly supported strike action on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th March which closed down the Piccadilly Line. However, management took the aggressive stance of threatening our members that they would lose wages if they refused to book on at Oakwood Depot and the National Executive Committee took the decision to rescind this instruction.