Critical that we maintain our opposition to cuts

29th March 2022

Dear Colleagues,

DEFENDING JOBS, PENSIONS AND AGREEMENTS - LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/14/2)

Following my previous Circular (IR/058/22), dated 21st February 2022, RMT Reps met recently to discuss this dispute and receive feedback from the RMT negotiating team, which has attended further talks with management at ACAS. The Company's unacceptable position has not changed, and management reiterated that the cuts are a condition of Government funding, required as a result of the TfL financial crisis. The Union clearly stated that the pension fund is in excellent shape and there is absolutely no need for any reform proposals. We continued to demand that any planned attacks on job numbers are withdrawn and that there are no changes to agreements.

The National Executive Committee has noted the update and that London Underground management has been shaken by a successful ballot for action and the strength of the strikes on 1st and 3rd March. This has forced them to delay announcements of further cuts across different functions of London Underground and has led management to claim that pension reforms could be delayed for a period of time.

However, LUL continues to seek over £500m of operational savings a year and the NEC has applauded Representatives who have stated their determination to deliver further strike action unless London Underground agrees to our demands of no job cuts, no changes to agreements and no detriment to our pension arrangements.

It is critical that we maintain our opposition to cuts imposed by the Government and Mayor impacting on our members. This Union will be taking further strike action and will announce dates for that action once we have received the outcome of the pension review on 31st March to fight against any imposition of damaging proposals.

I will of course keep you advised of all further developments.