RMT official circulars

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Huber Ballesteros is a high-profile Colombian trade union leader. He sits on the Executive Committee of Central Unitaria de Trabajdores de Colombia (CUT is Colombia's largest trade union federation) as well as being Vice President of FENSUAGRO Agricultural Workers' Union.

In an attempt to intimidate him into silence and inactivity, Huber was recently arrested and remains in detention. He must be promptly released, though even when that does occur, he – together with his family and his fellow trade unionists – will remain in danger.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Concerns have been raised with the union by our representatives that members are not automatically allowed representation at Occupational Health Appointments. This case has been considered by the General Grades Committee and our Lead Officers have been gathering up to date information from the companies with which we have recognition.

The General Grades Committee have noted and adopted the following report of their Health and Safety Sub-committee:

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

I refer to my previous Circular NP/205/13, 5th August 2013, please be advised that Thales managements proposal to increase member contributions midway through a triennial valuation has been rejected by the Railways Pension Scheme Trustee Board.

This is clearly good news for all members of the Thales Pension Scheme who were affectively facing a pay cut had managements shameful proposal been accepted by the trustees. In consideration your General Grades Committee made the following decision on 10th October 2013:

That we note the ballot results are as follows:-

STRIKE ACTION

Total votes cast .......59...........

Number voting “Yes” ........53...........

Number voting “No” ........06..........

Spoilt Papers ........00...........

ACTION SHORT OF STRIKE ACTON

Total votes cast .......59...........

Number voting “Yes” ........56...........

Number voting “No” ........03..........

Spoilt Papers ........00...........

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Our East Ham Branch submitted the following resolution:-

This circular is from RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

The following resolution was adopted at the 2012 National Conference of Station and Associated Grades concerning fatigue. Subsequently, the General Grades Committee adopted the following report from the GGC Health & Safety Sub-committee:

“That we note the resolution from our National Conference of Station and Associated Grades 2012.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

Further to my Circular No IR/131/13 dated the 25th February 2013 with regards to the above matter and where I informed you of the important court ruling on annual leave under the Working Time Regulations. As you may recall, I again wrote to London Underground raising our concerns over their decision not to update or publish company policies to reflect the changes to case law.

From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

RATES OF PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2010 – 2015 TUBE LINES

You will be aware that we are currently in year 4 of the 5 year pay. It was agreed that year 4 would be based on the actual RPI in January 2013 which is published in February 2013 + 0.5% or a minimum 2% whichever is the greater.

Therefore I write to advise you that the RPI figure for January 2013 was 3.3%, which means an increase in pay for this year of 3.8%, effective from 1st April 2013.

The RMTs new broadsheet 'We Can Stop Job Cuts' for the London Transport Region, is now available for distribution in workplaces. The RMT's London Region acting Regional Secretary said "Please could representatives make arrangements for collection accordingly for direct distribution into workplaces in accordance with the General Grades Committee’s decision. When you come, you will find a collection sheet and you are asked to put your name and workplace on it just so we know where the papers have gone.