TUBE UNION RMT announced today that it is to ballot all London Underground members for action short of a strike over the issue of the company using ill-trained and unqualified Incident Customer Service Assistants (ICSA’s) to make up minimum numbers at stations.

RMT has warned that not only is the policy dangerous but it is also in breach of the 2008 agreement that ended the casualisation dispute. The issue will be particularly relevant over the Olympics period when unprecedented numbers of people will be using the tube

RMT has also warned that an incident that endangers passengers, compounded by the misuse of ill-trained and unqualified staff, during the Olympics would have horrendous consequences at a time when the eyes of the world are on London.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said;

“This move by London Undergound puts passengers and staff at risk by placing the safe running of stations in the hands of minimally-trained volunteers. It would be dangerous at any time, but especially during the period of unprecedented demand we are facing during the Olympics.

“It also breaches the settlement of our casualisation dispute in 2008 and totally undermines the role of station staff, threatening future staffing levels and job security.

“As a result we have no option but to move to a ballot and we hope that the anger and concern that this attack on safety-critical staffing levels has provoked will force LUL to engage with us in meaningful talks.”

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