DISCIPLINARY – L. CORNELL, S. SOUISSI & D. SHARP – LONDON BRIDGE

LONDON UNDERGROUND (LUL/4/4)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/156/17, 5th April 2017), the ballots at London Bridge and Waterloo have concluded and the results were as follows:-

London Bridge

The result for strike action:-

Number of members balloted 66

Total Votes Cast 38 (58%)

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 35 (53%)

Number Voting ‘No’ 3

Spoilt Papers 0

The result for action short of strike:-

Number of members balloted 66

Total Votes Cast 38 (58%)

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 33 (50%)

Number Voting ‘No’ 5

Spoilt Papers 0

Waterloo

The result for strike action:-

Number of members balloted 35

Total Votes Cast 16 (46%)

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 12 (34%)

Number Voting ‘No’ 4

Spoilt Papers 0

The result for action short of strike:-

Number of members balloted 35

Total Votes Cast 16 (46%)

Number Voting ‘Yes’ 15 (43%)

Number Voting ‘No’ 1

Spoilt Papers 0

As you will see from the above, both ballots returned a definite ‘yes’ vote in favour of taking industrial action but the result at Waterloo does not meet the new legal thresholds for turnouts where 50% of members balloted must cast their vote and 40% of members balloted must vote ‘yes’. This means that regrettably, we do not have a mandate to call members at Waterloo to take any industrial action.

It is now more important than ever that EVERY MEMBER RETURNS THEIR VOTING PAPER to make sure that we are not prevented from acting on members’ wishes by the anti-trade union laws and I would be very grateful if all Branches and Reps could highlight the significance of MAKING SURE YOU DO NOT WASTE YOUR VOTE to all members in the future.

This matter has been considered by the National Executive Committee which has noted the strong ballot return by members at London Bridge demonstrating their solidarity and resolve to defend their workmates, Brothers Lee Cornell, Saed Souissi & Dave Sharp. Having considered this matter and consulted with our Senior Station Reps, the National Executive Committee has taken the decision to call on all CSA, CSS & CSM members at London Bridge Area to take part in the following industrial action:-

NOT TO BOOK ON for any shifts that commence between:-

22:00 hours on Sunday 7th May 2017 until 21:59 hours on Monday 8th May 2017.

Members are also instructed to undertake the action specified below from 22:00 hours on Monday 8th May 2017, until further notice:-

Not to service POMs

Not to challenge customers who refuse to produce a valid ticket/oyster/bank card or permit for travel

I urge all members to stand firm together and demand that Lee Cornell is reinstated and all of the sanctions against Dave Sharp and Saed Souissi are withdrawn without any further delay. The NEC will revisit this dispute in a weeks’ time to consider escalating to a ballot of all LU stations grade members. I will also be arranging a demonstration open to all RMT members, supporting organisations and the wider trades union movement to highlight the deplorable treatment of these RMT members and will forward further details when arrangements are confirmed.