Circulars from RMT head office about issues in our region
From RMT London Transport Regional Organiser John Leach
STATIONS DEVELOPMENT CENTRES
It has become blatantly apparent that management are attempting to bulldoze through changes without agreement. They must not be allowed to do this.
Branches will be well aware of the case of Brother Petrit Mihaj who was dismissed by Sodexo earlier this year. An Employment Tribunal has ruled that he was unfairly dismissed for his Trade Union Activities but despite winning, there is unfortunately no obligation on the company to reinstate him. The judgement was scathing of the treatment he has received and pointed out numerous failings by the Company during the investigation and suspension leading to this unfair dismissal.
from RMT Acting General Secretary Mick Cash
Further to my last letter, I am pleased to advise you that ACAS talks to resolve this dispute have resulted in real progress. This matter has now been considered by the General Grades Committee which has decided to suspend all industrial action in this dispute with immediate effect and therefore you are instructed to work normally.
A number of unions have called industrial action to take place on Thursday 10th July. Public sector workers are protesting the imposition of a 1% pay rise – which would represent yet another year where their living standards decline (taking into account inflation).
Irrespective of whether the UK economy is in a sound position, the country is already and is predicted to continue registering growth. And workers must take their share – as many are expected to do.
ACTION SUSPENDED
WITHDRAWAL OF REST DAYS - TUBE LINES – JUBILEE LINE
As you know, members voted in favour of industrial action over the withdrawal of rest days by Tube Lines management on the Jubilee Line Permanent Way. Members were instructed to take industrial action short of a strike in the form of taking official meal breaks whilst on duties from Midnight tonight.
I write to advise you that your General Grades Committee has considered the ballot result and has decided to call members to take industrial action over the company’s disgraceful withdrawal of your rest days. We believe it is totally unacceptable for the company to deny you properly rostered quality time off away from work.
With effect from 00.01 hours Tuesday 8th July 2014, until further notice you are instructed:
Firstly I wish to thank you for your solid support for your union on the last strike day. Despite this magnificent show of solidarity the company continue to refuse to address our concerns. Their plans for pay freezes and cuts to your pension rights are part of a concerted attack on your terms and conditions. Together with our sister unions Unite and TSSA a further strike day has been called to force management back to the negotiating table and reverse their disgraceful plans which would do the following: -
POWER CONTROL OPERATORS - LONDON UNDERGROUND
24th June 2014
Dear Colleague,
INDUSTRIAL ACTION
BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS – POWER CONTROL OPERATORS
LONDON UNDERGROUND
DISMISSAL – PETRIT MIHAJ, SODEXO
Employment Tribunal Victory – Ruling that Petrit Mihaj was automatically unfairly dismissed for his Trade Union activities
The Employment Tribunal Case for Petrit Mihaj v. Sodexo was heard last week and the Union was successful as the judge ruled that Brother Mihaj had been automatically unfairly dismissed by Sodexo due to his trade union activities.
I write to remind you that we remain in dispute with ISS over the planned introduction of Biometric Fingerprinting Machines for booking on for duty. We are totally opposed to this technology which we believe is a breach of civil liberties and a threat to your jobs. Members on the LUL contract voted ‘Yes’ in a ballot for industrial action and were instructed by the union not to use the new technology until further notice and to use the established booking on method. This action is still in place and you remain protected by the ballot in taking this action.